Gaithersburg Achieves 100 Score on Municipal Equality Index

The City of Gaithersburg has earned a score of 100 points in the 2023 Municipal Equality Index, an initiative of the Human Rights Campaign that examines the inclusivity of laws, policies, and services with respect to the LGBTQ+ community.

The City of Gaithersburg’s score in 2022 was also 100. The Index used 49 different criteria to rate 506 cities across the country. The average score nationally was 71, up three points from 2022 and marking the sixth consecutive year of national average increases. More than 25% of MEI-rated cities achieved the highest score possible.

Per the press release: Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. Gaithersburg achieved additional points in 2023 for having all-gender single occupancy facilities and having a youth bullying prevention policy for City services. Read the City’s scorecard here. The City has also provided Transgender-Inclusive Healthcare benefits for more than nine years and continues to work with the HRC on providing its required documentation.

“Gaithersburg is a city that values and welcomes everyone,” said Mayor Jud Ashman. “We are proud to be recognized as a place where, regardless of where you come from, who you love, or how you identify, this is a great place to make a home, to have a job, or to enjoy at your leisure.” The full Municipality Equality Index can be found at www.hrc.org/mei.

Courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg, featured photo courtesy of @DronifyDMV