The City of Atlanta has scored its seventh consecutive perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index (MEI). With a total raw score of 107, the 2019 report awards the City of Atlanta its highest-ever score on the MEI.

The Municipal Equality Index scores the inclusivity levels of a city’s laws, policies, and services impacting LGBTQ constituents. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and city leadership's public position on equality.

“Leading in the protection and advancement of Civil Rights is the Atlanta way, which is why we are proud to run one of the most robust municipal LGBTQ Affairs programs in the nation,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.  “Thank you to the Human Rights Campaign for your recognition and continued support of our efforts to build One Atlanta, a city that works for all of our residents.”

The Bottoms Administration has become a national model for municipal leadership on LGBTQ Affairs. Mayor Bottoms established the City’s first-ever, full-time LGBTQ Affairs executive staff position and the Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board. She has also led inclusive policy changes—expanding access to PrEP and banning the bullying of youth in all City facilities—and influenced public opinion around LGBTQ-centric issues by calling on the State of Georgia to ban conversion therapy and hosting LGBTQ engagements including the Mayor’s Pride Reception, Drag Queen Story Hour, the Mayor’s Black LGBTQ Pride Reception and an LGBTQ public art exhibit at City Hall.