BLOOMINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation (hrc.org), in partnership with the Equality Federation (equalityfederation.org), has announced that Bloomington has again been awarded a perfect score on the annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI). Now in its eleventh year, the index of 506 cities nationwide uses 49 criteria to evaluate how inclusive a city’s laws, policies, and services are of the LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. Bloomington was one of 120 cities in the U.S. to earn a perfect score this year, up from 110 cities last year.
The 2022 MEI rating marks the eighth consecutive year that Bloomington has been recognized with a perfect score. Bloomington is the only city in Indiana to achieve a 100% score and is one of four cities in Indiana to be considered an “MEI All-Star,” earning a high score in a state that lacks non-discrimination laws that expressly include LGBTQ+ people. Bloomington’s scorecard is available online at https://bton.in/NhsF8 and the full 2022 Municipal Equality Index Report is available at https://bton.in/1k8B8.
“Eight consecutive years of recognition for our community’s support and protection of our LGBTQ+ residents and visitors is something to celebrate,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “Beyond celebration, however, we can stand on this firm foundation and do more because we know that there is work to be done and this index does not reflect the experiences of everyone in Bloomington. I call on the State Legislature to pass non-discrimination legislation that protects our Hoosier LGBTQ+ community. Bloomington’s Human Rights Commission is always prepared to assist those who feel they have experienced discrimination.”
The MEI score is determined by a city’s record in five categories: non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services and programs, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. Bloomington’s scorecard highlights a variety of City initiatives on supporting, engaging, and protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, including the following:
- City code includes laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations
- City contractors are required to comply with a non-discrimination ordinance
- Human Rights Commission enforces non-discrimination ordinance
- The city provides employees with domestic partner benefits
- The city’s healthcare benefits are transgender-inclusive
- The police department employs an LGBTQ+ liaison
- The police department reported 2019 hate crimes statistics to the FBI
- The city maintains single-occupancy all-gender facilities
- The city provides services to those living with HIV or AIDS
“We know that equity and inclusion issues continue to present challenges to our community and beyond,” said Human Rights Commission Director and Assistant City Attorney Barbara McKinney. “But implementing good policies and procedures can help communities meet those challenges, and the MEI score shows Bloomington is doing exactly that.”
Established in 1980, the Washington D.C., Human Rights Campaign is the largest advocacy group working to achieve civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States. The HRC began evaluating cities using the MEI in 2012, since which time it has become a major benchmarking tool for municipal officials, policymakers, and business leaders to understand LGBTQ+ inclusion.
City of Bloomington Human Rights Commission
Bloomington Human Rights Commission (BHRC) enforces the Bloomington Human Rights Ordinance, educates community members about their rights and responsibilities under various civil rights laws, and advocates for changes in policies and laws. The BHRC is also responsible for ensuring covered bidders comply with the City’s affirmative action requirements and for issuing reports on bias incidents and hate crimes in our community. Learn more at https://bton.in/McXn3.
Bloomington Human Rights Ordinance
The Bloomington Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education on the basis of race, sex, religion, disability, color, national origin, ancestry, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or housing status. It also prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of familial status. It has jurisdiction over entities within the Bloomington City Limits, with the exception of Indiana University.
