HRC Municipal Equality Index

Last week the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released their 2012 Municipal Equality Index (MEI) and they say…

The MEI rates cities based on 47 criteria falling under six broad categories: non-discrimination laws; relationship recognition; the municipality’s employment practices; inclusiveness of city services; law enforcement; and municipal leadership.  Key findings from the MEI create a snapshot of LGBT equality in 137 municipalities of varying sizes drawn from every state in the nation – these include the 50 state capitals, the 50 most populous cities in the country, and the 25 large, 25 mid-size, and 25 small municipalities with the highest proportion of same-sex couples.  Seattle and other 100-point cities serve as shining examples of LGBT inclusivity, with excellent policies ranging from non-discrimination laws, equal employee benefits, and cutting-edge city services.

The report states, “11 Cites Scored 100%” and that 25% of the cities scored 85% or better (Hartford CT scored an 95%).

But…

You know that there is always a “but” and in this case it is a BIG one as far as the trans-community is concerned.

Did do you notice anything about the MEI?

We are Bonus Points!

To get a 100% they do not have to have health insurance for trans-people. The HRC says that in the future they will require health insurance coverage for all medically necessary treatments but right now we are only 4 bonus points. In their criteria for the MEI they say,

Transgender Inclusive Health Benefits (Bonus Points).
The city offers health and short-term disability benefits that include medically necessary treatments and procedures for all employees, including transgender employees. Cities, as employers, should work with their insurance carriers or administrators to remove transgender exclusions from their group health insurance plans and provide comprehensive transgender-inclusive insurance coverage. Because these benefits are not available to many of the cities rated in the MEI, a municipality that offers transgender-inclusive health benefits will score four bonus points. However, in future years these points will be folded into the standard 100 points.