NEW YORK – The Municipal Equality Index, the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law and policy, has scored four cities in New York, including Yonkers, with a 100 percent score.
The other cities in New York to receive perfect scores are Albany, New York, and Rochester. Only 68 cities nationwide received 100 percent ratings. The only other city in the Hudson Valley to receive a score was White Plains, which was rated with an 87.
The study, conducted by the Human Rights Commission Foundation in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute, rated the cities based on five criteria – non-discrimination, the municipality as an employer, services and programs, law enforcement, and relationship with the LGBTQ community.
Yonkers was recognized for its non-discriminatory laws; transgender-inclusion insurance coverage; elected gay officials, liaison from the police department, as well as Mayor Michael Spano’s LGBTQ Advisory Board established in 2014.
Yonkers City Council Minority Leader Michael Sabatino said the city is “truly a diverse city where our residents are respected and embraced regardless of ethnicity, religion or their sexual orientation.” He said the city promotes “a safe environment that allows everyone to co-exist and creates an atmosphere that allows all to contribute to the betterment of the City of Yonkers.”
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