The Human Rights Campaign recently released its annual Municipal Equality Index, which rates cities based on policies, services and laws. In that ranking, Phoenix, Tempe and Tucson all scored perfect hundreds, while other Valley cities were also in the top half. Gilbert and Avondale, however, scored 19 and 15, respectively. HRC’s Legislative Counsel Xavier Persad said part of the goal is to increase awareness of how LGBT-friendly policies can benefit cities’ bottom lines.
“Cities that are inclusive send a clear message that they are open for business, that they are welcome, that their residents and visitors are welcome and valued, and that in turn helps cities’ economies,” Persad said.
But how do the policies cities enact impact how people are treated? For that perspective, Dago Bailon with Trans Queer Pueblo — a group that works with the LGBTQ community as well as the migrant community of color in the Valley — discusses what he thinks of the results.
