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Covington, Kentucky has achieved a perfect score for the third consecutive year on an index by the Human Rights Campaign, which assesses inclusivity in city laws, policies, and services for LGBTQ+ residents. The Municipal Equality Index (MEI) evaluates 506 cities nationwide on criteria including non-discrimination laws and municipal services.
City Manager Ken Smith commented on Covington's achievement: “Supporting the LGBTQ+ community is a lot more than a parade, a festival, and drag shows... We’re proud of the City’s work in this area to back up our reputation for inclusiveness.”
Alongside Covington, Lexington and Louisville also received perfect scores in Kentucky. These scores reflect efforts to institutionalize diversity through brand identity and support for local LGBTQ+ events and centers. Covington's approach aligns with its broader economic development strategy that values inclusion as both ethical and beneficial for attracting talent.
The MEI ratings for other Kentucky cities include Berea at 67, Frankfort at 66, Morehead at 66, Bowling Green at 51, and Owensboro at 50.
