Press Release: City of Evanston Receives Highest Rating for LGBT Inclusion
City of Evanston, Illinois sent this bulletin at 11/14/2014 12:50 PM CST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 14, 2014 Media Contact: Martha Logan mlogan@cityofevanston.org Phone: 847-448-8041
City of Evanston Receives Highest Rating for LGBT Inclusion
Evanston,
IL –The City of Evanston is pleased to announce that it has obtained the
highest possible score from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s
Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the only nationwide rating system of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) inclusion in municipal law
and policy. The City is also proud to announce the appointment of
Director of Community Development Mark Muenzer as the LGBT Liaison to
the City.
The 2014 MEI shows that cities across the country continue to take the
lead in supporting LGBT people and workers, even when states and the
federal government have not. Evanston and the City of Chicago are the
only two Illinois cities to receive a score of 100.
The cities that Human Rights Campaign (HRC) researched for the 2014 MEI
include the 50 state capitals, the 200 most populous cities in the
country, the four largest cities in every state, the city which is home
to each state’s largest public university, and an equal mix of 75 of the
nation’s large, mid-size and small municipalities with the highest
proportion of same-sex couples.
In total, 353 cities across the nation were assessed, including seven
in Illinois. While not eligible for assessment using the MEI criteria,
the City of Evanston was one of only four cities to successfully
self-submit for evaluation.
"The City of Evanston is proud to have achieved a 100 rating on the
Municipal Equality Index," said City of Evanston Mayor Elizabeth
Tisdahl. "The rating is indicative of just how great Evanston is for not
only LGBT people, but for all people who live, work and play here.”
The City of Evanston earned the maximum points for almost all criteria
in six categories, including non-discrimination laws; relationship
recognition; the municipality as employer; municipal services; law
enforcement (appointing an LGBT Police Liaison and reporting of hate
crime statistics to the FBI); and the City’s relationship with the LGBT
community. The relationship category focuses on “Leadership’s Public
Position on LGBT Equality, Leadership’s Pro-Equality Legislative/Policy
Efforts,” and having openly LGBT elected or appointed municipal leaders.
Detailed scorecard information is posted at cityofevanston.org/resident/lgbt-community.
As
the LGBT Liaison, Muenzer will serve as the main point of contact
between the City and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
community of Evanston, providing information, referral services,
guidance, coordination, and technical assistance to the City and
residents.
“As a well-respected member of our staff, Mark will be an effective
ambassador to the LGBT Community in Evanston,’ said Sixth Ward Alderman
Mark Tendam. “Similar to his role as the Director of Community
Development, Mark will bring his collaborative spirit to ensuring LGBT
residents’ voices are heard.”
The 2014 MEI Report is posted at cityofevanston.org/resident/lgbt-community.
If you would like to discuss concerns about LGBT health, safety or
civil rights; are an LGBT resident and want to get involved in local
government; or would like information about local resources, please call
847-448-4311 or email lgbt@cityofevanston.org.
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality
for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights
Campaign (HRC) represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and
supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC's vision a reality.
HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in
every community.