The Center for Equality continues to strive toward full LGBTQ equality

Press Release – October 19, 2016

On Monday October, 17 2016, the Human Right Campaign released its annual Municipal Equality Index with encouraging news for LGBTQ residents in Sioux Falls. The Municipal Equality Index (MEI) examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of the LGBTQ people who live and work there. Sioux Falls scored 40 out of 100 points, which is a 12-point increase from the previous year.

“Seeing our city’s equality score increase from 28 to 40 in one year, proves that we are making progress to shape Sioux Falls into a LGBTQ friendly community. It’s been a privilege working with HRC and the City on making this happen, and we look forward to continuing those efforts.” – Thomas Christiansen, President of The Center for Equality.

The Center for Equality continues to strive toward full LGBTQ equality and deeply values the relationships that we continue to build with the city, police, local businesses, and individuals. With improving the reporting, we that see Sioux Falls is becoming even more of a welcoming city for LGBTQ people.

There is work yet to be done to improve policy, services, and resources to the LGBTQ community, specifically for transgender individuals. “Helping improve the lives of our transgender community will continue to be a priority for our organization.” – Thomas Christiansen

For information on how you can support the LGBTQ community, and help increase this score again next year, visit our website atwww.thecenterforequality.org. You can contribute in many ways; become an Ally and Business Ally Member, volunteer at one of our many events, join one of our committees, or donate to help us continue our mission.

To see the full MEI report for Sioux Falls visit: http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/Sioux-Falls-South-Dakota-2016.pdf

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