The City of Grand Rapids has scored high on a national equality scorecard. Patrick Center has the story.
The 2020 Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index evaluated a city’s inclusive municipal laws, policies and services impacting residents and employees identifying as LGBTQI+.
Five hundred five cities across the country were evaluated based on 49 criteria. Grand Rapids scored a 92 on a scale of 100. It was the same score as last year.
City Manager Mark Washington put that into perspective,
“We have improved since our initial score of 68 in 2014 and are proud of the strides we have made to be a more inclusive organization for LBGTQIA+ individuals,” said Washington.
The City of Grand Rapids is dedicated to the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion by adopting the administrative policy that establishing employee resource groups. In a news release the city highlights ERGs including
Prism GR, the West Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Black Public Administrators, the West Michigan Local Government Latino Network and an ERG focusing on Social Justice.