For Immediate Release

Monday, Nov. 6, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Town of Arlington Earns Near-Perfect Rating on Municipal Equality Index 

ARLINGTON — Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine and Health and Human Services Director Christine Bongiorno are proud to announce that the Town of Arlington was awarded a near-perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI).

The MEI examines towns and cities nationwide and evaluates their municipal laws, policies and services to determine how inclusive they are of LGBTQ individuals who live and work in those municipalities. Arlington earned 94 points out of a possible 100 — up from 81 last year — for its non-discrimination policies, its employment of LGBTQ people and its overarching relationship with members of the LGBTQ community, including its acceptance of transgender individuals.

“Our town is strong because of the solid foundation that so many people have striven to build. It is a foundation of cooperation and a commitment to service for the benefit of and — just as often — undertaken by all of our residents,” Board of Selectmen Chairman Joe Curro said. “The year-over-year increases in our MEI rating speak volumes about Arlington as a caring community where our LGBTQ friends and neighbors can feel supported and welcomed as full participants in our civic life.”

Arlington’s strong score is the result of a number of critical indicators considered by the Human Rights Campaign:

• The benefits it offers to LGBTQ employees
• Its services for LGBTQ youth and elders
• Its leaders’ public positions on LGBTQ equality
• Its commitment to ensuring equal opportunities in housing, employment and public accomodations

Arlington is extending its commitment to the LGBTQ community through its newly established Rainbow/Pride Commission. This group will promote equality-affirming policies that bring greater visibility and empowerment to people across the full spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities through education, advocacy and collaboration across town agencies, schools and community groups.

“Our core responsibility as a town is to ensure that every person who lives and works here feels welcome in our community,” Town Manager Chapdelaine said. “We are dedicated to ensuring that we’re constantly building upon the resources we offer to our residents, and the Rainbow/Pride Commission will do just that.”

To learn more about the Municipal Equality Index, which analyzed 506 towns and cities throughout the U.S., visit hrc.org/mei.

If you are an Arlington resident and are interested in becoming a member of the LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission, please send your resume and letter of interest to: Town Manager Chapdelaine, 730 Mass. Ave., Arlington, MA 02476 or email townmanager@town.arlington.ma.us by Nov. 25.

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