Worcester receives perfect 100 on LGBTQ scorecard
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Worcester was first ranked by the Human Rights Campaign in 2013 and scored a 55, but this year scored a 100 on LGBTQ issues for the fourth straight year.
For the fourth straight year, Worcester has scored a perfect 100 on a national scorecard of LGBTQ-friendly cities by the Human Rights Campaign.
The city scored perfect marks on non-discrimination employment, housing and public accommodation laws, municipal services, and law enforcement.
It lost points in the municipality as employer category due to a lack of transgender-inclusive health benefits. The city also lost points in the relationship with LGBTQ community category due to what the Human Rights Campaign apparently felt was a lack of pro-equality legislative or policy efforts.
However, the city made up for those marks with bonus points for providing services to LGBTQ youth, homeless, elders and those living with HIV/AIDS and making city hall an inclusive workplace.
The sixth-annual edition of the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index evaluated 506 cities nationwide. Worcester was first ranked in 2013 and scored a 55, but this year scored a 100 for the fourth straight year.
In a press release, City Manager Ed Augustus highlighted the a LGBTQ film festival recently held at Hanover Theatre and the HRC’s ratings helped the festival’s organizers choose Worcester.
“When I became city manager, I made improving the city’s record on LGBTQ rights a priority, and it has stayed a priority” Augustus said. “Worcester is a place where all are welcome to live, work and play and we are recognized by others who also see us as a welcoming place to visit, invest and do business.”
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