Columbia earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2017 Municipal Equality Index, the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipality law, policy and services.
Columbia was one of 68 cities that earned perfect scores on the index, according to a news release. Kansas City and St. Louis are the other two Missouri cities that scored a perfect score of 100 points.
Columbia was highlighted particularly for its LGBTQ liaisons in the City Manager’s office and in the Columbia Police Department, transgender-inclusive health benefits for employees, diversity and inclusion training for city employees and a series of non-discrimination laws, according to the news release.
Columbia significantly improved on its score from 2015, a 74, due to a combined effort between Mayor Brian Treece, City Council, City of Columbia’s Human Rights Commission and city staff, according to the news release.
Columbia Human Rights Commission Chair-elect Zach Rubin said he’s excited the city got a perfect score.
“There’s definitely always room to go up, but it’s really nice to live in a city that obviously values LGBTQ individuals,” Rubin said. “It’s good to see that we stepped up as a city to make that a priority.”
Five other Missouri cities were also included in the report:
- St. Charles – 38 points
- Springfield – 21 points
- Independence – 18 points
- Cape Girardeau – 3 points
- Jefferson City – 0 points
The nationwide average for the index is 57 points, up from 55 in 2015. The average score for Missouri cities is 48.
Columbia was also one of 27 cities that earned a perfect score despite a lack of LGBTQ-inclusive statewide non-discrimination laws. A state bill to add legal protections for LGBTQ individuals has been introduced and voted down every legislative session since 1998.
"We are excited at our progress towards achieving our vision that Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play," Treece said in the news release.