Mayor Blangiardi and members of the City’s Rainbow Employee Resource Group march in the Honolulu Pride Parade.

City achieves perfect score on Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, November 21, 2024

HONOLULU – Mayor Rick Blangiardi proudly announced today that the City and County of Honolulu has achieved a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a dramatic improvement from the city’s score of 60 just four years ago when Mayor Blangiardi took office.

“When we began this journey, I was disheartened by our score, which highlighted the gaps in our policies and practices,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “Today, I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made as a city. Achieving this perfect score is not just about numbers—it’s about the dedication of so many people working toward creating a more just and inclusive Honolulu for all residents. This accomplishment speaks volumes about the kind of community we are building—one where equality is not just a goal but a reality.”

The MEI evaluates municipal laws, policies, and services on LGBTQ+ inclusivity, scoring cities on a scale of 0 to 100 across five categories: non-discrimination laws, city employment practices, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. While cities can earn up to 22 additional flex points, public scores are capped at 100.

Now in its 13th year, the MEI is the only nationwide assessment of LGBTQ+ inclusivity at the municipal level, evaluating 506 municipalities. In 2024, a record-breaking 130 cities achieved a perfect score, and 76 cities scored over 85 points, underscoring Honolulu’s leadership in fostering equality. View the city’s scorecard and the full MEI by clicking here.

“The City and County of Honolulu’s greatest asset is the rich diversity of people, backgrounds, and cultures that underlie our neighborhoods, communities, and workplaces,” said Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters. “By continually fostering an environment of fairness and inclusion within our City ‘ohana, we have committed to elevating Honolulu as a welcoming community that supports all individuals and provides them with equal opportunities for success. I am proud of our progress.”

Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, who is proudly a member of the LGBTQ+ community, also reflected on the achievement: “This result showcases the City’s continued efforts to truly show aloha for everyone. Making sure everyone feels welcomed and included will always be a priority for us as City leaders.”

Councilmember Matt Weyer highlighted the broader significance of the milestone: “Achieving a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index is a testament to the collaborative efforts our government and community have taken to lead with aloha. This score represents our priority to make Honolulu a place where every person, regardless of their identity, feels valued and respected. This milestone is not just a victory for the LGBTQ+ community—it’s a victory for all who believe in equality.”

For more information on the City and County of Honolulu’s LGBTQ+ initiatives, contact Deputy Managing Director Krishna Jayaram at kjayaram@honolulu.gov.

—PAU—