Equality Federation Institute is proud to partner on HRC’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a comprehensive tool that shows how cities nationwide foster LGBTQ+ equality through their policies, practices, and services. 

The 2024 MEI is the 12th annual edition and rates a total of 506 cities on 49 different criteria from every state in the nation. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. 

As a community and a people, we are interconnected. While certain federal and state anti-equality politicians continue to single people out to bully based on race or gender, local communities continue showing up for each other and fighting for our freedoms, our families, and our futures. Here, advocates and allies are building connections and forming strong and supportive communities despite the deep divisions that strain their state legislatures.

As the national partner to 49 state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, we see firsthand the positive impact of building queer and transgender power and leadership in local communities. Advocates and local leaders are doing the hard work of talking to voters and lawmakers in cities and towns of every size to protect their communities. This year, a record-breaking 130 cities — over 25 percent of all MEI-rated cities — earned the highest score of 100. What is even more remarkable is that in 20 states across the country, 76 cities earned over 85 points despite hailing from a state without a nondiscrimination statute that explicitly protects LGBTQ+ people.

More than 22.5 million people now live in cities that have more comprehensive, transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination laws than their state. Many people are more protected in the communities they call home than by their state at large. We are grateful for the work advocates and local governments are doing to protect our community in the face of a devastating wave of discriminatory state-level laws. The increase in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation at all governmental levels has generated a pervasive sense of fear and unease nationwide. These laws hurt cities’ ability to protect LGBTQ+ people, but the irreversible and devastating consequences on the lives of real people, on the transgender community, cannot be understated.

We are grateful to the people fighting back against these restrictive state laws through actions like adopting local council resolutions opposing anti-LGBTQ+ state legislation and mutual aid. Our legacy is rooted in caring for one another. When certain politicians try to divide us based on who we are or where we’re from, we will continue our legacy of care, whether that’s through voting, sharing resources, or reaching out to our neighbors during difficult moments.

As we continue to face challenges at the national and state levels, the MEI reminds us of the progress that can be achieved in the places it matters most — our local communities — where the work is hard, but the impact is great. By highlighting the inspiring efforts of cities and local leaders across the country, this report encourages us to remain hopeful and to continue fighting for a more just and equitable future for all.

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