City Of Hollywood Earns Perfect Score: In The 2023 LGBTQ+ Municipal Equality Index

The City of Hollywood joins 129 other municipalities across the U.S. that earned perfect scores. In South Florida, the City of Hollywood joins Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Miami, and Wilton Manors.

The HRC scored the City on LGBTQ+ focused activities in five categories – Non-Discrimination Laws, Municipality as an Employer, Municipal Services, Law Enforcement, and Leadership on LGBTQ+ Equality. Examples of City Initiatives that contributed to the perfect MEI Score include:

• Under Part II, Municipality as an Employer, the City has received the full 6 points for Transgender-Inclusive Healthcare Benefits in 2021 and 2022.

• Under Part III. Municipal Services, the City provides funding to several groups and organizations who provide services to LBGTQ+ Youth and Young Adults. Here is a listing and applicable web sites of the organizations who receive funding from the City: Covenant House: www.covenanthouse.org/homeless-issues/lgbtq-homeless-youth and Women in Distress: www.womenindistress.org/we-can-help/emergency-shelter

• On October 13th and October 14th, 2022, the City’s LGBTQ+ Liaison (Alison Saffold) attended the Florida Summit.

• In the 2023 GFLGLCC Membership Directory and Community Guide, the City promotes itself as a welcoming place of equity, diversity and inclusion and has received a LGBTQ+ Municipal Equality Index Score of 100.

• On January 29th, 2023, Hollywood hosted My Hollywood Pridefest in Downtown Hollywood. This event was promoted on Social Media, in our Eblast, and on the Electronic Billboard on 1-95.

• On June 7th, 2023 the City issued a Proclamation in Recognition of Pride Month and raised the LBGTQ+ Flag at City Hall for the entire month: https://youtu.be/Cp71CX2NXoQ?si=TJ8IXFDqq1HE2jaq

• In June 2023, the City’s LGBTQ+ Liaison (Alison Saffold) along with several Public Safety Employees attended the Multi-Agency LGBTQ+ Cultural Awareness Training.

The 2023 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 129 cities earned the highest score of 100.

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

My Hollywood Pride 2024
Since the Inaugural “My Hollywood Pride” and the return in 2023, My Hollywood Pride has been a tremendous success. In 2023 they doubled their attendance and continued to lean into the ways in which My Hollywood Pride is different from most any other Pride. On Sunday, January 28th, 2024 they will be back on Hollywood Boulevard to greet you for the third edition of this annual tradition of inclusion.

SAVE THE DATE: My Hollywood Pride!
Sunday, January 28th, 2024 in
Downtown Hollywood - 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Because My Hollywood Pride is the first Pride anywhere in the world each year, they have chosen the theme “Pride Starts Here!” to guide them for 2024. Over the last couple of years, Florida has been a leader in Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation, and as a result LGBTQ+ People, especially the youth, are the target of unfair and unequal treatment. LGBTQ+ People have long created their own chosen families in the face of adversity and marginalization. With that in mind, they are inviting you to join them as though they are welcoming you back to our home, and to remind everyone that we are stronger together.

Their mission is to provide a space where everyone is welcome, and where you can feel proud to be who you are. And it is in that space where you can laugh, dance and learn together. In 2024, they will continue to provide a place for kids, youth and families to come together, and also be a place that invites everyone in to learn more about LGBTQ+ Art and Culture, and where you can be celebrated.

Find out more at: www.myhollywoodpride.com