The 2015 MEI is a nationwide evaluation of 408 cities on how inclusive the city’s laws and policies are for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Orlando joins St. Petersburg and Wilton Manors as the only major cities in Florida, and among the 47 cities in the entire country to obtain the top score of the MEI.
“As a result of our significant efforts, our MEI perfect score demonstrates the progress our community has made and validates our commitment to have an inclusive government that promotes diversity and benefits all sectors of society, including the LGBT community,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together as Orlando continues being an inclusive and welcoming city where the quality of life is second to none.”
“The City of Orlando is committed to fairness and equality for all citizens. As an openly gay elected official, I am delighted with our score on the equality index,” said District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan.
This ranking furthers the City’s ongoing commitment of preserving a democratic and inclusive government that serves and represents the diverse community in Orlando.
The City has been at the forefront in creating a community that is not only culturally diverse, but also one that embraces change and equality. In the past few years, the City has established policies and ordinances that foster inclusiveness to benefit everyone equally, including:
- The adoption of the domestic partnership registry with more than 1,321 couples
- The support of marriage equality in court briefs
- Adding gender identity as a protected class in our anti-discrimination City Code
- The celebration of the historic Vowed and Proud Wedding Ceremony in City Hall in which 44 couples were married and gained access to the institution of marriage, and to a safety net of over 1,200 legal and economic protections for their families.
- The Orlando Police Department (OPD) adopted a Transgender Persons policy to codify through policy one of the tenets of OPD: To treat all people with dignity and respect. This order establishes guidelines for the appropriate treatment of transgender individuals who come into contact with and/or require the services of OPD.
The entire http://www.hrc.org/mei .
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