Mayor Linda Gorto, City of Lexington | City of Lexington website
Mayor Linda Gorto, City of Lexington | City of Lexington website
Once again, Lexington has been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign as a leader in LGBTQ equality. In 2024, the city ranked 13th highest among 506 municipalities across the country, placing it in the top 2.5 percent.
Since 2021, Lexington has received the highest score of evaluated cities in Kentucky. The Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI) team conducts an annual review of each municipality’s laws, policies, and services affecting LGBTQ communities. Lexington is third best among rated municipalities in surrounding states, behind Arlington and Virginia Beach in Virginia.
“Our residents should be very proud of our community for its continued recognition as a national leader in LGBTQ equality,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “Since taking office in 2019, I have focused on making sure everyone in Lexington feels safe and supported. This includes those in our LGBTQ community.”
Lexington received 95 base points and an additional 19 flex points, giving it an overall score of 114. The Human Rights Campaign considers 100 to be a perfect score, but municipalities can receive flex points allowing for a highest potential score of 122.
The annual MEI report is read globally. “Lexington’s leadership, reflected by our MEI score, not only shows our residents a strong commitment to equality but is also seen by potential visitors and those looking to relocate their businesses,” Gorton said. “Our focus on making sure we have a safe and welcoming community is good for business.”
Lexington has been rated by the Human Rights Campaign since 2013 and has progressively improved its score from an initial rating of 53. In 1999, Lexington-Fayette was the first county in Kentucky to pass an inclusive fairness ordinance. Since then, the city has implemented domestic partner benefits, policies for all-gender signage of city-owned single occupancy facilities, and other supportive benefits for LGBTQ government employees. Lexington also supports local organizations that assist LGBTQ youth and historic archive organizations; it has banned youth conversion therapy and launched the LexProud campaign.
Lexington’s scorecard can be found at Lexington HRC MEI Scorecard and the full Human Rights Campaign MEI report can be found at www.hrc.org/mei.
Additionally, Lexington’s Recycle Center will temporarily close from December 4 to December 15 to replace the baler and a fabric structure.
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