Seven cities in South Florida, not six as SFGN initially reported last week, received perfect scores on the 2021 Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index report.
The missing city was Miami Beach.
“Miami Beach has scored a perfect score every year since 2013 when I sponsored our domestic partner equity ordinance allowing same-sex unmarried couples to receive the same benefits as straight married couples,” said Former Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora. “I'm proud of our city for once again receiving a perfect score! The City of Miami Beach has always taken the lead on LGBTQ issues, from electing me as the first openly gay Latin elected official in Florida, to it joining the fight for same-sex marriage and its relentless battle to protect LGBTQ youth from harmful conversion therapy, we do things first and lead the way for other governments to follow.”
It’s unclear why Miami Beach was left off of the index but a spokesperson for HRC said the city will eventually be added to the official report. SFGN received the city’s score from a spokesperson for the city.
This is the tenth annual municipal equality list HRC has compiled. Across the U.S. more than 500 cities were scored with 110 earning perfect scores — up from 94 in 2020.
The cities automatically include each year are the 50 state capitals; the 200 largest cities in the U.S.; the five largest cities or municipalities in each state; the cities home to the state’s two largest public universities; and 75 cities and municipalities that have high proportions of same-sex couples. Another 98 cities are selected by HRC and Equality Federation state groups members and supporters.
There’s also an option for cities to self-submit applications, which Miami Beach has done each year.
The other cities that received perfect scores this year include Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, West Palm Beach, and Wellington. West Palm Beach also self-submits each year.
Miami Beach is the only city in Miami-Dade County to achieve perfection. The other cities in the county scored include Miami (89); Miami Shores (98); Coral Gables (95) and Hialeah (44).
Cities receive points based on their laws, policies, benefits and services. Some of the areas scored include “Law Enforcement” and “Municipal Services,” and “Leadership on LGBTQ Equality.”
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