Dayton Scores High on LGBT Rights Index

Release Date: Thursday, December 17, 2015
Contact: Kery Gray, Director, City Commission Office, 937-333-3636

The City of Dayton achieved a nearly perfect score on a nationwide index of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights, according to a report released today by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBT advocacy organization.

HRC’s Municipal Equality Index scored Dayton at 98 of 100 possible points, a threepoint increase over last year’s score.

The score acknowledges Dayton’s anti-discrimination ordinance, inclusive employment policies, recognition of relationships, law enforcement practices, municipal services and other factors.

The Municipal Equality Index evaluated 408 cities of varying sizes in every state. The full report and Dayton’s scorecard are online at hrc.org/mei.

Dayton ranked third among six Ohio cities scored, slightly below Cincinnati and Columbus, but well above Cleveland, Toledo and Akron. “We continue to work toward even greater inclusion of the LGBT community in Dayton,” Mayor Nan Whaley said. “We want to work toward increasing the City’s score to a perfect 100. Dayton is a place where all communities are welcome to thrive and contribute.”