March 28, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Long Beach Named One of the Best LGBTQ Cities

For the 10th year in a row Long Beach has been named one of the best cities in the nation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer inclusion in municipal law and policy, earning a perfect score and 11 bonus points, the city announced Friday.

“It is an honor for our city to be recognized for our unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ community for the 10th consecutive year,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We are very proud of our efforts and completely committed to ensuring Long Beach remains a place where everyone — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity — is welcome.”

Garcia himself is both the city’s youngest and first elected openly LGBT mayor, and also the first Latino American to hold the office.

Long Beach was one of 506 cities nationwide to be scored, and one of 110 to achieve a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index.

The MEI examines laws, policies and services of municipalities and rates them based on their inclusivity of LGBTQ people who live and work there. 

Examples highlighted in the 2021 report include:

  • protection of youth from conversion therapy;
  •  non-discrimination in city employment;
  • workplace inclusivity;
  • availability of city employee domestic partner benefits;
  • availability of transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits;
  • LGBTQ liaisons in the city’s executive office and police department;
  • leadership’s public position on LGBTQ equality.

Long Beach received perfect scores in all MEI categories, including:

  • non-discrimination laws: 30 out of 30 points, plus 4 bonus points (2 for single-occupancy all-gender facilities, 2 for youth protection from conversion therapy);
  • municipality as employer: 28 out of 28 points, plus 1 bonus point for city employee domestic partner benefits;
  • municipal services: 12 out of 12 points, plus 4 bonus points (2 for city provides services to LGBTQ+ youth, 2 for city-provided services to people living with HIV or AIDS);
  • law enforcement: 22 out of 22 points leadership on LGBTQ equality: 8 out of 8 points, plus 2 bonus points for openly LGBTQ+ elected or appointed leaders.

The 2021 MEI boasted the largest number of top-scoring cities in its history, the highest overall average, and growth in every region of the country. Cities are rated on a scale of 0 to 100, with bonus points additionally awarded for essential programs, protections or benefits that are either not attainable or are very difficult to attain for some cities.

Related Posts

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Judy Garland’s Teenage Bel-Air Estate Hits Market for $11.495 Million

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Wizard of Oz” Star’s Former Home Offers Piece of Hollywood History A Bel-Air estate commissioned by Judy Garland during her...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...

Federal Agents Raid Property Linked to Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs In Holmby Hills

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Authorities Conduct Searches in Los Angeles as Part of Ongoing Sex Trafficking Probe Federal agents from the Department of Homeland...

Biden Signs Government Funding Bill with Ban on Pride Flags at Embassies

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

White House Vows Repeal Amid Controversy Over LGBTQ Provision President Biden signed a huge government funding package on Saturday, which...

City of Los Angeles Pays Nearly Half a Billion in Liability Claims Over Four Years

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

LA Controller’s Report Reveals Significant Payouts from General Fund LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia has continued to audit the City...

Infamous Beverly Hills Mansion Where Menéndez Brothers Committed Murders Sells for $17 Million

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Notorious Property Closes Deal Exactly 28 Years After Conviction A mansion in Beverly Hills, California, notorious for being the site...

Former Beverly Hills Therapist Indicted for Alleged Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Suspect Faces Federal Charges Following Investigation into Online Activity A former licensed marriage and family therapist based in Beverly Hills...