City of Hollywood: Earns Perfect Score in 2022 LGBTQ+ Municipal Equality Index & Weekend Events

December 8, 2022

The City of Hollywood has earned a perfect score of 100, plus additional nine flex points, on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s 2022 Municipal Equality Index (MEI) for having programs and policies that are inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equity. View Hollywood’s scorecard and the 2022 MEI full report at: https://hrc-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/MEI-2022-Hollywood-Florida.pdf

The City of Hollywood joins 118 other cities across the U.S. that earned perfect scores. In South Florida, the City of Hollywood joins Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

The HRC scored the City on LGBTQ+ focused activities in five categories – non-discrimination laws, municipality as employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. Examples of City initiatives that contributed to the perfect MEI score include:

In celebration of scoring their first ever 100 on the MEI Scorecard, the City of Hollywood sponsored the Hollywood LBGTQ Council’s first Pride Street Festival in downtown Hollywood in early 2022. Several dignitaries and elected officials were in attendance which included an opening ceremony, Flag Raising and Pride Brunch among other event activities.

Issued a Proclamation in Recognition of Pride Month and held a Progress Pride flag raising ceremony at City Hall. The flag flew over City Hall for the month of June.

Provided funding for organizations that serve LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.

Information on Lesbian Visibility Day, and National Transgender HIV Testing Day shared and posted on the City's main social media accounts.

Launched a LGBTQ+ Ally Program for City employees, with 20 earning their Ally certificate. To become an ally, employees must watch the 20-minute documentary called “Open Dialogues: Stories from the LGBTQ Community” provided by the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, view a 24-minute “Become an Ally – LGBTQIA+” video presentation, and attend a 3-hour LGBTQ 101 Proficiency and Workplace Bias Training with Misty “Eyez” Alicea, Director of Women’s Services, Transgender Service & Training Service at SunServe. To date, 35 employees have attended LGBTQ 101 Proficiency training.

The 2022 MEI rated 506 municipalities of varying sizes drawn from every state in the nation. Municipalities were rated on criteria covering citywide non-discrimination protections, policies for municipal employees, city services, law enforcement, and the city’s leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. This year, a record-breaking 118 cities earned the highest score of 100. In addition to the 100 standard points, 22 flex points were also available for essential programs, protections, or benefits that were not easily attainable.

Weekend In Hollywood

Hollywood Beach Sweep Saturday, December 10th from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
2nd Saturday of Every Month
Charnow Park
Register at www.hollywoodfl.org and search “Beach Sweep.”

Holly Jolly Hollywood Festival
Sunday, December 11 from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
This jolly holiday festival & gift fair takes place on the historic Downtown Hollywood Boulevard (between 19th & 20th Ave.)
• Holiday Gift Fair, featuring local makers with gift-worthy goods
• Holiday Themed DIY Make & Take Stations
• Photos with Santa Claus
• Live Music Stage with performances all day
• Holiday Photo Stops
• Snow Fall
• Open Bars & Restaurants onsite with specials & tasty things
• Festive Live Caroling
• Playground at Anniversary Park and more cheer!
• Free Admission - All Ages - Friendly Pups Welcome

Learn more at www.hollywoodfl.org under “Hollywood Happenings.”