Dayton receives perfect score on Municipal Equality Index

Dayton received a perfect score (100 out of 100 points) on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index released today. The score acknowledges Dayton's anti-discrimination ordinance, inclusive employment policies, law enforcement practices, municipal services and other factors.

Dayton was also named an All-Star City for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights by HRC, the nation's largest LGBT advocacy organization.

"I am very proud of Dayton's scoring 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index," said Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. "Dayton is one of only 60 cities nation-wide to earn 100 points. This year, Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati are the only Ohio cities to receive this rating, which reflects not only our inclusion of the LGBT community in Dayton's success, but also inclusion of everyone in Dayton's success." 

The Municipal Equality Index evaluated 506 cities of varying sizes. This is the third year that Dayton has earned a high equality score despite the lack of statewide inclusion laws and policies supporting equality. Cincinnati and Columbus were also awarded perfect scores. 

"The HRC Municipality Equality Index examines issues of importance to LGBTQ people, but it also is a template for a city to use in measuring its inclusivity to all groups of people," said Kery Gray, Director of Commission and the Mayor's Liaison to the LGTBQ community. "Even before the HRC officially included Dayton in its rating process in 2014, Dayton was using those standards as a guide to welcoming everyone in Dayton. Being a welcoming community means welcoming everyone, all ages, all heritages, all backgrounds and making everyone a part of Dayton's future and its successes."

The full report and Dayton's scorecard are online at hrc.org/mei.