The Human Rights Campaign has given Denver a perfect score for the city’s inclusivity — in terms of laws, policies and services — toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.
Mayor Michael Hancock’s office says Denver is the first Colorado city to receive a perfect score, which came from the civil rights organization’s 2017 Municipal Equality Index.
“In Denver, we stand firmly for the ideals of inclusion, acceptance and opportunity. These are our values,” Hancock said in a written statement. “We will continue to keep Denver a city that is welcoming to all by standing together against hate and never allowing it to divide our city. We have worked hard to achieve this score, and I’m grateful to the members of my LGBTQ Commission for leading the way.”
Denver was one of less than 70 municipalities nationwide that received a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign.
The organization examined Denver’s nondiscrimination laws, city employment policies and even law enforcement as part of its study.
Denver was given bonus points for providing services to people with HIV/AIDS and for having openly LGBTQ elected or appointed municipal leaders.
“Denver continues to be a leader as a world-class city for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Coloradans and their families, and we are proud of the work they’ve done to support LGBTQ people,” Daniel Ramos, executive director of the LGBTQ advocacy group One Colorado, said in a statement. “We hope other cities in Colorado will look to Denver as a model for how to treat their LGBTQ residents with dignity and respect.”
