Cities are in constant competition for residents, business and employees and inclusiveness is an important factor that attracts all three. The Municipal Equality Index (MEI) specifically measures laws and policies of municipalities to examine how inclusive cities are of LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning) people.Administered by the Human Rights Campaign, the MEI scorecard criteria annually evaluates a municipality on six categories with bonus points available: Non-Discrimination Laws: This category evaluates whether discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited by city, county or state in areas of employment m housing and public accommodations.Relationship Recognition: Marriage, civil unions, and comprehensive domestic partnerships are matters of state policy; cities and counties have only the power to create domestic partner registries.Municipality as Employer: By offering equivalent benefits and protections to LGBTQ employees, and by awarding contracts to fair-minded businesses, municipalities commit themselves to treating LGBTQ employees equally.Municipal Services: The section assesses the efforts of the city to ensure LGBTQ constituents are included in city services and programs.Law Enforcement: Fair enforcement of the law includes responsible reporting of hate crimes and engaging with the LGBTQ community in a thoughtful and respectful way.Relationship with the LGBTQ Community: This category measures the city leadership’s commitment to fully include the LGBTQ community and to advocate for full equality.Additional information available at hrc.org/meiThis page provides data for the Municipality Equality Index performance measure.The performance measure dashboard is available at 3.12 Municipal Equality Index.Additional InformationSource: Contact: Wydale HolmesContact E-Mail: wydale_holmes@tempe.govData Source Type: ExcelPreparation Method: Publish Frequency: Annually, OctoberPublish Method: ManualData Dictionary