City sees a significant increase in Municipal Equality Index score and names first LGBTQ+ Liaison

HONOLULU – Mayor Rick Blangiardi is proud to announce that the City and County of Honolulu has achieved its highest-ever score on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Municipal Equality Index (MEI), earning 89 out of 100 points.

“We were appalled to learn of the city’s score of 60 when we came into office. Consequently, I am incredibly proud of our progress in the last three years to promote equality and inclusivity,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “This score reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a more just and welcoming community for all residents. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our city’s residents, advocates, and leaders. We will continue to strive for a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone who calls Honolulu home, and I expect that in next year’s survey, we will reach a perfect score.”

Honolulu's skyline as seen from the south shore of Oahu. — Honolulu, made more beautiful by the diversity of its people.

The Human Rights Campaign serves as the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, and their MEI survey, now in its 12th year, evaluates the inclusivity laws, policies, and services pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community residing and working within municipalities.

The City’s previous high was in 2014, scoring 72. The Index used 49 different criteria to rate 506 cities across the country. The average score nationally jumped to an all-time high of 71, up three points from 2022 and marking the sixth consecutive year of national average increases.

Deputy Managing Director Krishna Jayaram, designated as Honolulu’s first LGBTQ+ liaison.

Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement & leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. Honolulu achieved additional points in this year’s rankings for having transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits, naming a 3-person LGBTQ+ Liaison Task Force in the Honolulu Police Department, and having a youth bullying prevention policy for City services. View Honolulu scorecard here.

The full Municipality Equality Index can be found at http://www.hrc.org/mei.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi also designated Deputy Managing Director Krishna Jayaram as the City’s LGBTQ+ Liaison, the first of its kind. Jayaram plays a critical role in the City’s day-to-day operations and long-term initiatives.