Erie's MEI Score Increases Again

The Mayor's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council received word that Erie's Municipal Equality Index (MEI) has increased yet again.  In 2017, Erie's score was 29.  After four years of working to implement programs, policies, and initiatives to increase our score, last month, officials from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) notified the City that we are now at an 86.  With this recent scorecard, 2021 marks the fourth year in a row that we have experienced an increase. 

The 2021 Municipal Equality Index rated 506 municipalities of varying sizes from every state on how inclusive their municipal laws, policies, and services are to LGBTQ people who live, work, and visit. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, municipality as employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and the city leadership's public position on equality.

In 2021, the City focused on several areas and saw improvements in the following categories:  Inclusive Workplace (2), Youth Bullying Prevention Policy for City Services (2), and Openly LGBTQ Elected or Appointed Municipal Leaders (2).

In 2022, the Mayor's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council will strive for additional points in:

• City Contractor Non-Discrimination Ordinance (6)
• Leadership's Pro-Equality Legislative or Policy Efforts (2)
• City Services to LGBTQ Youth, Homeless, Elders, those living with HIV or AIDS, and the Transgender community (10)
• Reporting Hate Crimes (12)

The maximum number of points that can be achieved is 100.

For more information on the HRC's MEI, visit the City of Erie's website at

https://cityof.erie.pa.us/government/boards-commissions/lgbtq-council/.