Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ community is celebrating the news that the city scored a 100 on the Municipal Equality Index, a system developed by the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Federation that ranks municipalities from every state in the nation.
The MEI is considered the gold standard for measuring LGBTQ+ inclusion as it applies to municipal law, policy and services. At a time when many LGBTQ+ people feel threatened by a hostile presidential administration, this is welcome news, and it is proof that local governments can achieve significant progress even as federal powers attempt to roll back protections for marginalized communities.
Birmingham became known as the “Magic City” because it boomed rapidly from a tiny hamlet to a burgeoning metropolis after important natural resources were discovered. While the city’s recent accomplishment with the MEI may seem magical, especially to those who associate the Deep South with a spirit of intolerance, the perfect MEI score is truly the result of many years of hard work by countless individuals and organizations.
Among these are Central Alabama Pride, the state’s oldest pride organization; The Magic City Acceptance Center, which provides a safe, supportive and affirming space for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) people and their allies ages 13-24; and TAKE Resource Center, which works to empower trans women of color by meeting needs and increasing accessibility to needed services.
These and many other organizations have played a vital role in doing the work necessary here in Birmingham to advance the lives of LGBTQ+ people.
They are investing in our community and the results are tangible.
These organizations recently found an ally in Birmingham’s new mayor, Randall Woodfin, whose election as an insurgent progressive candidate last October sent shockwaves across the country. While our nation made significant strides to support LGBTQ+ people under President Obama, in recent years that momentum seemed to be fading.
In June 2018, Mayor Woodfin made clear his commitment to making Birmingham a more fair and inclusive place for all when he appointed me as LGBTQ+ Liaison for the City of Birmingham, a first for our city and for our state. This action alone allowed many, myself included, to view Birmingham in a new light in relation to its dedication to protecting the LGBTQ+ community.
It was during my first week in the role, that the mayor presented me with a copy of Birmingham’s MEI 2018 draft scorecard. The city had scored a 77 – not terrible for a city in the Deep South with no inclusive state laws.
But a 77 wasn’t good enough for our administration. There was much work to be done.
We were determined to take action to improve the lives of our citizens by helping them achieve fair treatment with employment, housing, protections, and services.
We also understood that equality is also good for business. The MEI Scorecard serves as a vital tool for business leaders when it comes to economic development. When major companies look to expand or relocate, it has become standard practice to use the MEI Scorecard to help prioritize inclusive communities that appreciate diversity.
With the creation of my role; Sgt. Deena Armstrong’s work as LGBTQ+ Liaison of Birmingham Police Department; and Mayor Woodfin’s public support of LGBTQ+ rights, among several other ongoing efforts, we were able to raise that initial 77 score to 100.
In the end, Birmingham sent a powerful message of inclusion.
Not only did we become one of 78 municipalities to earn a perfect score, we did it with a resounding proclamation to both residents and companies willing to business in the Magic City: “Everyone is welcome here, and everyone will be protected here!”
As we acknowledge this incredible achievement, we can’t forget that there is still much work to be done. We still have LGBTQ+ youth living on the streets because they have been turned away from their homes simply because of who they are. Youth are still being subjected to conversion therapy. Trans women of color are still just fighting for basic human rights.
By no means are we finished. We’ve just begun.
But this is Birmingham, a city whose legacy is built on social justice. We stand on the shoulders of the activists, foot soldiers, allies and advocates who have fought for civil rights and equality for all here in Birmingham – a groundswell of change that would reshape our world.
Justice for all. That’s who we are.
I challenge leaders, not only in Birmingham, but across Alabama to recognize injustice, discrimination, and inequality, and take the vital steps necessary to eradicate them once and for all.
In Birmingham, we will continue to work with our partners at Equality Alabama, the Human Rights Campaign, and other organizations to continue to seek new ways to create opportunities for the marginalized and break down barriers for everyone by truly putting people first. We are happy to help you learn how to do the same.
Today, we celebrate the progress. But the work goes on.
Published: Oct. 16, 2018, 3:02 p.m. - https://www.al.com/opinion/2018/10/birmingham-celebrates-perfect-score-on-equality-index.html
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