The City of Palm Springs' LGBTQ+ inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services earned it 100 points, the highest possible score, in the 2023 Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index Scorecard, a nationwide evaluation of more than 350 cities. This recognition places Palm Springs at the forefront of LGBTQ+ equality in the United States.
To begin with, "Palm Springs prides itself on being one of the most inclusive and welcoming communities in the country," said Mayor Grace Garner.
Building on that sentiment, According to the Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, 5.3% of California's population are LGBT.
Looking closer at Palm Springs, According to 2022 Census data, Palm Springs has a population of 45,223.
A significant portion of this population identifies as LGBTQ+. According to a 2022 Forbes article, approximately 40-50% of Palm Springs residents are LGBTQ+.
The scoring criteria for the Municipal Equality Index is quite comprehensive. According to a press release issued by the city, the MEI rates the inclusivity of municipal laws, policies and services for LGBTQ+ residents specifically evaluating the following categories: non-discrimination laws, municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.
Palm Springs performed exceptionally in several categories. According to the Palm Springs 2023 MEI report, the city scored 30/30 in the "Non-Discrimination Laws" category which looks at city, county and state prohibitions in place to address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. It also received the maximum score in the "Municipality as Employer" category for initiatives such as transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits and a city contractor non-discrimination ordinance.
In conclusion, "We as a City are proud to lead the way as a champion and role model for other municipalities to follow when it comes to protecting the rights of our LGBTQ+ community and ensuring all feel welcomed, celebrated, and safe. We thank the Human Rights Commission for recognizing our commitment to this important work with a perfect score," Garner said.