Human Rights Campaign ranked Mississippi cities for LGBTQ+ inclusion. The Coast failed.
June is Pride Month and celebrations are still going strong all across the country. The Mississippi Coast has dozens of events and parties happening this week to celebrate the local LGBTQ+ community.
There are several states and cities that have policies and protections in place for LGBTQ+ residents. If you’re curious how they stack up in Mississippi, we’ve got you covered.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released their 2021 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), which shows the level of support that cities give the LGBTQ+ community, even if the state or federal government has failed to do so.
Four cities on the Coast are scored: Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Gulfport and Ocean Springs. All four received failing grades from the HRC.
Rob Hill, state director for HRC Mississippi, said he is working with city and business officials across the Coast to raise their scores before the 2022 index is released in the fall.
Hill believes cities do want to get their scores up, which could also attract more tourism.
“I do think there is a desire to send a message that (Coast) cities are welcoming, but we need folks on the Coast — in these cities — to demand it and hold folks accountable,” Hill told the Sun Herald earlier this month.
“It’s great to say that you’re welcoming, but do something tangible to ensure that people know.
Bay St. Louis
Bay St. Louis scored 3/100 on the Municipal Equality Index.
Section 1 of the MEI evaluates non-discrimination laws within the city, noting that discrimination is prohibited by the city, county or state in areas of employment, housing and public accommodations. Bay St. Louis received a 0/30 in this category.
Section 2, Municipality as Employer, looks at non-discrimination in city employment, transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits, non-discrimination ordinances and inclusive workplaces. Bay St. Louis got a 0/28 here.
Section 3, Municipal Services, looks into “the efforts of the city to ensure LGBTQ+ residents are included in city services and programs.” Bay St. Louis got a 0/12 for Section 3.
Section 4, Law Enforcement, evaluates the city’s fair use of the law when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, such as reporting hate crimes and engaging with the LGBTQ+ community in an appropriate manner. Bay St. Louis received a 0/22 for this category.
Section 5, Leadership on LGBTQ+ Equality, or the city’s efforts to fully include LGBTQ+ members in the community. Bay St. Louis got a 3/8 in this section, bringing the city to a total score of 3/100.
Biloxi
Biloxi scored a little higher and received an overall score of 30/100.
In non-discrimination laws within the city, Biloxi received a score of 0/30;
In Municipality as Employer, a 14/28;
In Municipal Services, a 0/12;
In Law Enforcement, a 12/22;
And in Leadership on LGBTQ+ Equality, a 4/8.
Gulfport
Gulfport, Mississippi scored a 13/100 on the overall index.
The city scored a 0 in the first three sections (Non-discrimination Laws, Municipality as Employer and Municipal Services).
In Law Enforcement, Gulfport comes in at a 12/22 and in Leadership on LGBTQ+ Equality, the city scored a 1.
Ocean Springs
Ocean Springs barely surpassed Bay St. Louis with a score of 5/100 for the overall index. Ocean Springs scored a 0 for the first four sections and in Leadership on LGBTQ+ Equality, the city received a 5/8.
The rest of Mississippi
Hattiesburg: 38/100
Jackson: 80/100
Oxford: 17/100
Southhaven: 0/100
Starkville: 31/100
Sun Herald editor Justin Mitchell contributed to this report.
