Miami Beach Earns Perfect Score for LGBTQ+ Protections

Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach has once again ranked among the top U.S. cities in the annual Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index. The city achieved a 100-point score in the recently released 2024 index, the highest possible rating.

“Miami Beach has earned its place as a trailblazer and leader with respect to LGBTQ+ issues and advocacy,” explained Miami Beach Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez. “As a gay man, I am proud to live in a city that fiercely protects the rights of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people — not only to come here — but to know they will feel safe and welcomed when they arrive.”

The 2024 Municipal Equality Index is a nationwide evaluation of 506 cities based on 49 criteria, including the inclusivity of laws, policies and services. It is intended to be an encapsulation of nationwide best practices of inclusion and a blueprint for positive municipal change rather than a ranking of the friendliest U.S. cities for LGBTQ+ people.

The 2024 index reaffirmed that cities across the country — including Miami Beach — support equality for LGBTQ+ people, even where states and the federal government fail to do so. The report was issued in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute.

In addition to Miami Beach, other Florida cities with 100-point scores include Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Orlando, St. Petersburg and Tampa.

The index criteria is based on five broad categories:
• Nondiscrimination laws.
• Municipalities as employers.
• Municipal services.
• Law enforcement.
• Leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.

The full report, including detailed scorecards for every rated city and a searchable database, is available online at www.hrc.org/mei.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC and the HRC Foundation strive to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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