City of Yonkers Attains Perfect Score for the Eighth Consecutive Year on Municipal Equality Index

Yonkers Rated as One of the Top U.S. Cities Exhibiting LGBTQ Inclusion in Municipal Law & Policy

YONKERS, NY - December 1, 2022 - The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute, released its eleventh annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI) report (https://bit.ly/3gLSYjQ), the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law and policy, scoring the City of Yonkers with a perfect 100 for the eighth consecutive year. Yonkers was one of 11 cities in New York to receive a perfect score and one of 120 nationally out of 506 surveyed.

"Our administration continually works toward full equality amongst our residents and employees," said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. "We are extremely proud to continue to be a part of the growing list of communities with a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index. Our rating reflects diversity as Yonkers' greatest strength and the respect we have for one another, regardless of who you love."

Yonkers was specifically recognized for the following categories on its 2022 MEI Scorecard (https://bit.ly/3i7WjKB):

Ø Non-discrimination Laws

Ø Municipality as Employer

Ø Municipal Services

Ø Law Enforcement

Ø Leadership on LGBTQ Equality

Anthony Nicodemo Chair of Mayor Spano's LGBTQ Advisory Board stated, "Under the leadership of Mayor Mike Spano and former City Council Majority Leader Michael Sabatino the LGBTQ community has flourished in the City of Yonkers. Recording a 100 on the HRC MEI Report for the eighth straight year is just one example of how Yonkers is welcoming to LGBTQ people and why our community continues to grow. Today is another reason to be a proud gay Yonkersite."

Michael Sabatino, Yonkers Director of Constituent Services/Former City Council Majority Leader stated, "I am happy to see that the City of Yonkers continues to strive to respect all people no matter their orientation and welcomes them to a city that promotes equity and diversity. Special thanks to Mayor Spano for leading the way."

The 2022 MEI reveals that cities across the nation are not waiting for their states to extend vital protections to the LGBTQ community, nor are they intimidated by some state elected officials threatening to deny cities the ability to extend fully inclusive protections to their residents and workers. This year, a record-breaking 120 cities earned the highest score of 100, up from 11 in 2012's inaugural index, the MEI's inaugural year, illustrating the striking advancements municipalities have made despite some being in states that have seen increased extremist-led anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation.

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