City of New Rochelle Achieves Maximum
Municipal Equality Index Score

For the second year in a row, the City of New Rochelle has earned a score of 100 (103 raw score) on the Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy, and services.

“Once again, this score affirms our City values of inclusivity and diversity. My thanks especially to the LGBTQ Advisory Committee for helping us maintain this important designation,” said Mayor Noam Bramson.

The MEI rating reflects the ongoing efforts of the City of New Rochelle’s LGBTQ Advisory Committee, formed in 2020. The committee raises awareness, educates, and advocates for the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer residents of New Rochelle, while also helping to ensure that municipal government is fully inclusive.

“I am proud incredibly proud to see New Rochelle receive a perfect score for the second year in a row,” said LGBTQ Advisory Committee Chair Andrew Buder. “New Rochelle values being ‘Ideally Yours’ and on behalf of the Committee, I want to thank the HRC for this recognition that highlights New Rochelle as welcoming of the LGBTQ community.”

LGBTQ Community Liaison Sam Gomez has been instrumental in creating a number of Pride events for New Rochelle in 2021, including a Pride Month flag-raising and Pride Day; coordinating with local events like National Night Out and the Thanksgiving Parade; and forming a partnership with New Rochelle’s Sister City La Rochelle, France. “Our committee is thrilled to receive this rating for the second year in a row – it is a true reflection of who we are,” he said.

The MEI rated 506 cities including the 50 state capitals, the 200 largest cities in the U.S., the five largest cities or municipalities in each state, the cities home to the state’s two largest public universities, 75 municipalities that have high proportions of same-sex couples and 98 cities selected by HRC and Equality Federation state group members and supporters. It assesses each city on 49 criteria covering citywide non-discrimination protections, policies for municipal employees, city services, law enforcement and the city’s leadership on LGBTQ equality.

The full MEI report can be reviewed online at www.hrc.org/mei. 

To find the latest news and to learn more about upcoming events visit www.NewRochelleNY.com/LGBTQ.