TITLE
Recommendation to direct City Manager to report to the City Council on the results of the Municipal Equality Index.
DISCUSSION
Long Beach recently received a perfect score on the Municipality Equality Index (MEl), the first-ever rating system of LGBT inclusion in municipal law. The MEl is a project of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT organization, the Victory Fund Institute and the Equality Federation Institute.
The MEl rates cities based on 47 criteria areas falling under 6 broad categories; nondiscrimination laws, relationship recognition, the municipality's employment practices, inclusiveness of city services, law enforcement and municipal leadership.
Long Beach was only 1 of 11 cities to receive a perfect score of 100. Over 137 cities were included in the report card, including the nation's 50 largest cities, all of the state capitols, and the largest mid-size cities.
The study cites numerous local municipals laws and actions, including: - Domestic Partner Benefits
- Equal Benefits Ordinance
- Non-Discrimination Policies
- Fair Housing Policies
- City's Position of Marriage Equality
- Police Department Relationship with LGBT Community
The report also notes one area where the city could improve, in the area of equivalent family leave.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
VICE MAYOR ROBERT GARCIA
COUNCILMEMBER, FIRST DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER SUJA LOWENTHAL
SECOND DISTRICT
COUNCILWOMAN GERRIE SCHIPSKE
FIFTH DISTRICT