Seven Florida Cities Score 100 on LGBTQ Index

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBT Politics

MIAMI, FL — (November 19, 2025) — Seven Florida municipalities have earned perfect scores on the Human Rights Campaign’s newly released Municipal Equality Index, a nationwide report evaluating how cities support LGBTQ-inclusive laws, policies, and services. The cities receiving 100% ratings this year are Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Wilton Manors.

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The annual HRC report — available at the organization’s official Municipal Equality Index portal — measures everything from nondiscrimination protections and LGBTQ workplace guidelines to public services, law enforcement practices, and municipal leadership.

HRC President Kelley Robinson praised local governments for stepping up where federal and state policies have faltered.

“With federal and state governments too often leaving LGBTQ+ people behind, cities and towns are stepping up and embracing inclusion and equality,” Robinson said. “There are still more of us who support equality than those who do not — and I commend each and every city that fought against tall odds to show their continued support of our community. In these challenging times, our work with the Municipal Equality Index, and the leadership of these municipalities, have never been more critical.”

The recognition arrives against a backdrop of intensifying political tension. Earlier this year, Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia publicly criticized several local governments for using public funds to support Pride events and LGBTQ youth programs, framing the efforts as “wasteful spending.” The criticism emerged from the state’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) task force findings.

Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Transportation attracted nationwide attention after removing politically themed pavement markings — including the rainbow-striped crosswalk at the Pulse Memorial site in Orlando — a move that community leaders said erased local LGBTQ history and visibility.

Despite the political climate, city leaders celebrated their perfect scores.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said the recognition reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to equity.

“I’m proud that our community has received this honor,” Welch said. “As we continue to build on this progress, we remain committed to making St. Pete a city that advances equity for all of its residents.”

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the practical and economic benefits of LGBTQ inclusion.

“When everyone feels safe, supported, and included, cities become more creative, economies grow, and public life becomes more vibrant,” Castor said. “LGBTQ+ equality makes cities stronger for all residents, attracting talent, inspiring innovation, and building the kind of trust and energy that allow neighborhoods, businesses, and people to thrive together.”

The full 2025 Municipal Equality Index includes data from hundreds of cities across the United States and highlights growing gaps between inclusive local governments and increasingly hostile state-level policies.

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