Greensboro Earns Perfect Score for LGBTQ Equality Again

Greensboro achieved a perfect score of 100 on the 2025 Municipal Equality Index, marking the fifth year in a row the city reached the top rating in the Human Rights Campaign national assessment. The MEI evaluated 506 municipalities across the United States for policies and practices that affect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and LGBTQ+ residents who live and work in the city.

The index measured several key categories that determine a municipality's rating. Non discrimination laws were reviewed to determine whether protections for sexual orientation and gender identity exist at the city level, at the Guilford County level, or at the state level of North Carolina in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations. Municipal services were evaluated to see whether city programs and services include LGBTQ+ residents. Law enforcement was assessed for fair enforcement of the law, responsible reporting of hate crimes, and engagement with the LGBTQ+ community in a thoughtful and respectful manner. Leadership on LGBTQ+ equality measured the commitment of city leaders to include the LGBTQ+ community fully and to advocate for full equality.

For local residents, the MEI score has practical implications. A perfect score signals that city ordinances and policies are aligned with protections that affect everyday life from job security to access to housing and to city programs. It also indicates that city law enforcement practices and reporting structures meet standards that can build trust with communities most at risk of bias and violence. For businesses and nonprofits, the rating is often used as a barometer of a citys inclusivity when recruiting talent or choosing locations.

City officials noted that the full MEI report is available online for those who want to compare scores for other municipalities in North Carolina. As national debates over civil rights and municipal authority continue, Greensboros consecutive perfect ratings will shape local conversations about public safety, community services and the role of municipal leadership in protecting vulnerable residents.