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Fort Collins received a grant to close 2021. Perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index, which the City’s PRIDE Employee Resource Group worked with the Human Rights CampaignTo achieve.
The MEI scorecard assesses a city based upon several categories. Fort Collins’ PRIDE team plays a role in making the City more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
It’s been something that’s been on the list as long as this team has been around, so to be able to see it accomplished … was an incredible moment.” –Heather Cox, co-chair of PRIDE Employee Resource Group
The PRIDE Employee Resource Group consists of LGBTQ+-identified employees, who are committed to helping our LGBTQ+ community feel valued, safe, and affirmed within Fort Collins and the City. said Heather Cox, who works at the City’s Communications and Public Involvement Office and is co-chair of the PRIDE team.
In 2021, the City adopted “trans-inclusive health care benefits,” according to the Fort Collins Social Sustainability Page.
Its been something thats been on the list as long as this team has been around, so to be able to see it accomplished … was an incredible moment, Cox said.
Cox stated that trans people in the City have not always had equal access to health care. We have worked closely with our HR department to make that happen, and in 2021 we were able say that all City employees now have trans-inclusive benefits.
It’s a measurement and an indicator of the progress that we’ve made over the past few decades, but there’s still definitely work to be done to make our city more inclusive.” –Emily Francis, mayor protem
Mayor Pro Tem Emily Francis wants to see one change: public toilets being code-compliant with a gender-neutral option.
Francis stated that Francis believes it would be a good start to have at least one gender-neutral option in all establishments.
Despite the City’s high MEI score there is still much to be done.
Its a measurement and an indicator of the progress that weve made over the past few decades, but there’s still definitely work to be done to make our City more inclusive, Francis said.
To earn a 100-point rating, the City was evaluated on five categories including City employment, non-discrimination laws, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. The MEI scorecard.
The Human Rights Campaign is in charge of evaluating a city’s MEI score, and participation is on a volunteer basis, Cox said.
PRIDE also collaborates closely with the Human Rights Campaign in order to improve the Citys Municipal Equality Index score. This scores cities on how inclusive and welcoming it is for LGBTQ+ people. Fort Collins Social Sustainability website.
Cox stated that the PRIDE team examines the scorecard throughout the year to identify gaps that need to be filled in order to make the City more inclusive.
Cox stated that the PRIDE team also looks at neighboring communities and peer cities to see what Fort Collins can offer differently.
Cox stated that a little bit more friendly competition can bring levity to the workplace and help people stay motivated for their work.The PRIDE teams work has been solely volunteer basis, and it can be challenging to juggle these projects, which can take a huge emotional toll on top of the workload of the regular job that everyone has.”
Cox hopes that 2022 will see PRIDE team members looking back at their achievements and celebrating. Cox hopes that all members will stay connected with one another and serve as an emotional support network.
To read more about this accomplishment, visit the HRC’s Fort Collins Success Story.
Austria Cohn can reached at [email protected], or on Twitter @AustriaCohn.
