The City of Allentown has earned a maximum 100 point score in the 2017 Municipality Equality Index (MEI) from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

The MEI examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are of LGBTQ people who live and work there. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and the city leadership’s public position on equality.

“I am extremely proud that Allentown has achieved a 100 point score on the 2017 MEI, said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. “We have worked hard to be recognized as an inclusive community. This year’s edition recognizes Allentown for adoption of an ordinance banning the dangerous practice of conversion therapy on minors.”

The MEI covers 94 million people from the 200 largest cities in the country. Ten cities were rated in Pennsylvania. Only Philadelphia and Pittsburgh joined Allentown with scores of 100 based on 44 different criteria. Across the country, 68 municipalities earned a 100 point rating.

Allentown had earned a score of 95 points in the 2016 Municipal Equality Index.

Click on http://assets.hrc.org//files/assets/resources/MEI-2017-Allentown-Pennsylvania.pdf?_ga=2.38516321.317957365.1508781156-77885976.1508781156 to view the 2017 Allentown scorecard.

Click on https://www.hrc.org/mei to learn more about the MEI.

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