68 of 506 Arizona Cities Earned Perfect Scores on LGBT Equality

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An annual report of how well American cities are ensuring equality for LGBT people was released Thursday and shows 68 of 506 cities earned perfect scores, including Phoenix, Tempe and Tucson. 

Nationally, 11 cities scored zero points. None were in Arizona, although Avondale, Gilbert and Peoria earned the lowest local scores.

The sixth annual Municipal Equality Index is compiled by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and the Equality Federation Institute.

Cities were judged based on: 

*Non-discrimination laws.

*Municipal-employee benefits.

*Anti-bullying policies and city involvement with the LGBT community.

*Law-enforcement involvement with the LGBT community.

*Leadership on LGBT equality such as LGBT people in leadership roles.

The high scores for Phoenix, Tempe and Tucson come despite Arizona having no statewide LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination laws.

"Cities big and small, in red and blue states alike, are continuing our progress toward full equality, regardless of the political drama unfolding in Washington, D.C., and in state legislatures across the country,” Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin said in a statement with the report's release.  

Top Arizona cities

The effort toward equality gained ground in 2014 when Arizona and other states were forced to make same-sex marriage legal after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that bans in place were unconstitutional.

In September, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have the same parental rights as opposite-sex couples. 

Democratic state lawmakers have sought to extend non-discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity, without success.

However, some local governments have moved public policies forward. Most recently, the Pima County Board of Supervisors banned conversion therapy, which attempts to change a person from being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. 

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Tucson, in 1999, became the first Arizona city to pass an anti-discrimination ordinance protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents and city workers.  Phoenix followed suit 13 years later, and Tempe voters approved gay and lesbian protections in 2014. 

"So proud to be celebrating Tempe's perfect score today," Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell said on Thursday, adding it is the fourth year in a row the city has received the accolade. 

"Let's also remember that the fight for equality is far from over," the mayor said.  

Xavier Persad, legislative counsel for the Human Rights Campaign and author of the report, said cities are leading the charge.  

"Cities across the nation are leading the path forward on LGBTQ equality," Persad said. "Inclusive cities send a clear message."

Phoenix Pride President Mark Leeper said inclusive policies are more than just good for business. "This is about ensuring that everyone is on the same playing field," he said.

Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, The Republic | azcentral.com