Three local cities score high in LGBT fairness study

Three Coachella Valley cities received high marks in a study of the governments’ attentiveness to LGBT issues, organizers of the survey announced today.

Palm Springs and Cathedral City each earned a perfect 100 out of a possible 100 points in the Municipal Equality Index released by the Human Rights Campaign, while Rancho Mirage scored 93.

All of the local communities surveyed scored well above the national average of 56 points.“The City of Palm Springs in a unique and wonderfully diverse community and we pride ourselves on welcoming everyone,” City Manager David H. Ready said. “It is important to the City Council that Palm Springs remains one of the most inclusive cities in the country and I want to thank city staff for ensuring equality is always a top priority in Palm Springs.

Cathedral City officials also hailed the survey results.“The LGBT community has called Cathedral City home for as long as we have been a city,” Mayor Stan Henry said. “Over the past few years, we have implemented new programs within our public safety departments, including a designated LGBT liaison officer for our police department, passed new ordinances that require the equal treatment of all residents, and commenced our annual Cathedral City LGBT Days that celebrates our diversity.”

The survey rates cities on 41 criteria, including passage of non- discrimination laws, employment and contracting policies, transgender benefits, inclusiveness of city services, law enforcement and representation by LGBT leaders.

To view the full Municipal Equality Index report, visit www.hrc.org/mei .