14th Edition of HRC’s Municipal Equality Index, Nation’s Most Comprehensive Survey of Cities’ LGBTQ+ Policies, Shows Record Breaking 132 Cities – More Than 25% of All Surveyed – Earned Highest Possible Score

However, Due to Influx of Anti-LGBTQ+ provisions at the State and National level, National Average Score Decreases

WASHINGTON – Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the educational arm of the nation’s largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released the 14th edition of the Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the only comprehensive nationwide assessment of LGBTQ+ equality in the areas of municipal policies, laws and services. HRC is proud to partner with Salt Lake City, UT and Mayor Erin Mendenhall to launch the 2025 index. Salt Lake City scored ‘100,’ the highest possible, and demonstrated innovation in pushing back on restrictive state-level laws by adopting three official City flags representing LGBTQ+, trans, and Black communities.

The 2025 MEI shows a record breaking 132 cities scoring the highest possible marks on the index, representing a combined population of approximately 49 million people. This high-water mark is critical as pressure continues from states that pass laws and policies that seek to shut transgender people – particularly trans youth – out of public life. State legislatures have continued pushing laws that prevent transgender people from getting certain kinds of medically necessary health care, from accessing public accommodations like restrooms consistent with their gender identity, and many cities who have worked hard to ensure that transgender-inclusive health benefits are covered by their insurance plans are in many cases no longer able to provide that coverage in a meaningful way as a result of discriminatory decisions made by state legislators. That’s partly why, following seven years of national average score increases, 2025 saw a slight decrease to 70 points from 72 in 2024.

However, more cities than ever are doing what the MEI characterizes as “testing the limits of restrictive state laws” – pushing back against various checks on municipal power or discriminatory state laws – with nearly 70 cities doing so.  Salt Lake City was among these municipalities who found innovative ways to support equality in spite of a state legislature who has made it more difficult to do so.

“With federal and state governments too often leaving LGBTQ+ people behind, cities and towns are stepping up and embracing inclusion and equality,” said Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “For years now, state legislatures – and now Congress and the President – are waging a calculated campaign to erase LGBTQ+ people from public life and the cities that wish to welcome them. But there are still more of us who support equality than those who do not – and I commend each and every city that fought against tall odds to show their continued support of our community. In these challenging times, our work with the Municipal Equality Index and the leadership of these municipalities have never been more critical.”

Key findings from the 2025 Municipal Equality Index, which scored 506 cities, include:

• This year, a record-breaking 132 cities or over 25 percent of all MEI-rated cities, earned the highest score of 100, which is up from 130 in 2024
  • Only 5 cities scored zero points.
• Across 21 states, 64 cities and towns earned over 85 points despite their state lacking non-discrimination statutes that explicitly protect sexual orientation and gender identity. In recognition of their efforts, the following localities earned the title of “All-Star City.” (A “*” below indicates the city earned all-star status for the first time this year)
  • Alabama: Birmingham
  • Alaska: Anchorage*, Juneau
  • Arizona: Chandler, Flagstaff, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe, Tucson
  • Georgia: Athens-Clarke County*, Atlanta, Decatur
  • Indiana: Bloomington, Evansville, Terre Haute
  • Iowa: Cedar Rapids*, Davenport*, Des Moines*, Dubuque*, Iowa City*
  • Kentucky: Covington*, Lexington*, Louisville*
  • Louisiana: New Orleans
  • Missouri: Columbia, Kansas City, St. Louis
  • Montana: Missoula
  • Nebraska: Omaha
  • North Carolina: Carrboro, Durham, Greensboro, Raleigh*, Winston-Salem
  • Ohio: Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Dublin, Lakewood, Toledo
  • Oklahoma: Norman
  • South Carolina: Myrtle Beach
  • South Dakota: Brookings, Vermillion
  • Texas: Arlington, Austin, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, San Antonio
  • Utah: Salt Lake City*
  • West Virginia: Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown
  • Wisconsin: Appleton*, Green Bay*, Madison*, Milwaukee*, Oshkosh*
  • Wyoming: Casper*, Laramie
• The rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric at every level of government has created a chilling effect in cities across the country.
  • Many cities have lost points that they have historically received due to state actions and threats from the federal government to suspend funding if engaged in “DEI” work.
  • This impact can be seen in the lower national score average of 70, lower scores in almost every regional score average, and lower state averages in 75 percent of states.
    • The Plains (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri) saw the largest decrease (-11) in their regional average in recent history.

Every year, the Municipal Equality Index scores the 50 state capitals, the 200 largest cities in the United States, the five largest cities or municipalities in each state, the cities home to the state’s two largest public universities, 75 cities and municipalities that have high proportions of same-sex couples, and 98 cities selected by HRC and Equality Federation state groups, members, and supporters.

Even though local leaders continue to pave the way forward for equality, there remains an unacceptable patchwork of laws for LGBTQ+ people across the country. This reinforces the need for the federal Equality Act – one of HRC’s top legislative priorities – that would provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.

The full 2025 MEI report, including detailed scorecards for every city and a searchable score database, is available online at www.hrc.org/mei.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action—working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.

This decision coincides with recent polling from the HRC Foundation confirming that a super-majority of Americans favor marriage equality protections

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to grant certiorari in Davis v. Ermold, where former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis hoped the Court would rehear a lower court’s decision awarding damages to a same-sex couple to whom she refused to issue a marriage license, despite a court ordering her to do so, in 2015. As part of her request Davis asked the Court to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark case that affirmed Constitutional marriage protections for same-sex couples. As a result, the lower court ruling stands, leaving Davis liable for refusing to abide by existing law and signaling that the Court is, for now, unwilling to revisit or reverse precedent that establishes marriage equality for the LGBTQ+ community. This ruling also underscores that public officials cannot evade accountability under the law by invoking anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:

“Today, love won again. When public officials take an oath to serve their communities, that promise extends to everyone — including LGBTQ+ people. The Supreme Court made clear today that refusing to respect the constitutional rights of others does not come without consequences.

Thanks to the hard work of HRC and so many, marriage equality remains the law of the land through Obergefell v. Hodges and the Respect for Marriage Act. Even so, we must remain vigilant.

It’s no secret that there are many in power right now working to undermine our freedoms — including marriage equality — and attack the dignity of our community any chance they get. Last week, voters rejected the politics of fear, division, and hate, and chose leaders who believe in fairness, freedom, and the future. In race after race, the American people rejected anti-transgender attacks and made history electing pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot.

And from California to Virginia to New Jersey to New York City, LGBTQ+ voters and Equality Voters made the winning difference. We will never relent and will not stop fighting until all of us are free.”

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action—working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.

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(press release provided by Tucson Pride, the Pride Guide® Arizona is not responsible for content or errors)

Tucson Pride Reschedules 2025 Parade and Festival to February 21, 2026 

Tucson, AZ — October 21, 2025 — Tucson Pride, Arizona’s oldest LGBTQIA+ organization and producer of the state’s first Pride celebration, announced today that the 2025 Tucson Pride Parade and Festival will move from November 22, 2025 to February 21, 2026.
While the full parade and festival will take place in February, Tucson Pride will still host a series of smaller Pride-related events this November to keep the spirit alive and the community connected.

Why the change?

Tucson Pride’s Board of Directors determined that moving the festival to February was the best way to ensure a safe, sustainable, and joyful event for the community.

Key factors included:

Parade logistics: The November 22, 2025 date overlaps with El Tour de Tucson, one of the city’s largest annual events. Because both require extensive road closures and public safety staffing, Tucson Pride would not have been able to secure a parade permit for that weekend. Rather than hold a festival without a parade—a core part of the celebration—the organization chose to move to February so both parade and festival can take place together.

2024 losses: Last year’s record-breaking heatwave reduced attendance and revenue, leaving the organization with debt that is now being resolved thanks to an incoming bequest.

501(c)(3) status: Missed filings from 2021–2022 temporarily suspended Tucson Pride’s nonprofit status. A CPA firm is finalizing the filings, and reinstatement is expected soon. During this time, the organization informed sponsors, vendors, and donors of its status. In the interim, Tucson Pride is exploring a temporary 501(c)(3) arrangement (fiscal sponsorship) so donations and sponsorships can continue responsibly while reinstatement is finalized.

Funding headwinds: Nationwide declines in LGBTQIA+ sponsorships and donations have affected local fundraising.

Volunteer capacity: As an all-volunteer organization, Tucson Pride is using the additional time to strengthen operations and rebuild leadership capacity.

Looking ahead

“This move isn’t just about changing dates—it’s about ensuring Pride’s long-term sustainability,” said Jeff Fulgham, Tucson Pride Board President. “By moving to February, we’re creating the time and stability needed to deliver a celebration that reflects the strength and joy of Tucson’s LGBTQIA+ community.”
Founded in 1977, Tucson Pride is the third-oldest Pride celebration in the United States. The organization has spent nearly five decades fostering visibility, unity, and celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community of Southern Arizona.
“We’ll come together for smaller events this November and reunite in full force for the parade and festival on February 21, 2026,” said Fulgham.

About Tucson Pride

Tucson Pride is Arizona’s first and oldest LGBTQIA+ organization. Founded in 1977, it produces the annual Tucson Pride Parade and Festival along with other events that celebrate visibility, unity, and community. Tucson Pride is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and joyful spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals, allies, and families across Southern Arizona.

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Contact: David Hoffman
press@tucsonpride.org
tucsonpride.org

As Federal Government and Many States Continue Legislative and Administrative Onslaught Against LGBTQ+ People, Violent Crimes Against Members of Community Remain Elevated

WASHINGTON — The latest annual crime report from the FBI highlights once again that while overall violent crime in the U.S. continues to decline, hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community remain alarmingly high.

In 2024, according to FBI data submitted by local jurisdictions, attacks based on a victim’s sexual orientation made up 17.2% of all hate crimes, and 4 percent were based on gender identity.

“The FBI’s 2024 hate crime data has revealed a national emergency hiding in plain sight. Everyone deserves to be safe in this country and have the chance to thrive. But anti-equality politicians continue to spread lies about LGBTQ+ people, trying to push us out of more and more corners of society,” said Kelley Robinson, Human Rights Campaign President. “Those smears come with a cost. The FBI has exposed a chilling reality: our community remains a target of violence — and that is unacceptable. LGBTQ+ people, just like everyone else, should be free to live our lives, pursue our careers and education, build our homes and pursue our American Dreams, without the threat of violence hanging over our heads. This FBI data is clear: we need more support from our political leaders, not animosity and attacks that seek to demonize us.”

The FBI’s report noted that there were 1,950 recorded incidents relating to an alleged victim’s sexual orientation in 2024 and 463 relating to an alleged victim’s gender identity. Race/ethnicity motivated hate crimes remained the largest category, making up 51.8% of all hate crimes. Hate crimes based on religion were second, just ahead of sexual orientation.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.