Roswell, Sandy Springs score low on LGBT protections report

A recent national report gives Roswell and Sandy Springs low scores when it comes to protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The Human Rights Campaign recently released its annual Municipal Equality Index, which measures whether strong protections are in place in cities where LGBT people work and live. This year's index rated 506 cities across the country, including 10 in Georgia. Six of those cities are in the metro area — Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Decatur, North Druid Hills, Roswell and Sandy Springs.

Atlanta scored 100 on the index — the only Georgia city to receive a perfect score. Roswell scored 11, while Sandy Springs scored 22.

The LGBT civil rights advocacy group looked at five categories to determine each city's score:

Non-discrimination laws - whether a city prohibits sexual and gender discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations
The city as an employer - whether a city offers equal LGBT protection laws for employees, and awards contracts to businesses committed to LGBT rights
City services - whether a city includes LGBT people in city services and programs
Law enforcement - whether police report hate crimes, and thoughtfully engage with the LGBT community
A city's relationship with the LGBT community - whether a city's leadership advocates for the LGBT community

Atlanta is known in the southeast for its large LGBT population. The city received a perfect score for its non-discrimination policies in both housing and the workplace, and having a citywide LGBT advocacy office. Atlanta received bonus points for having elected officials who are openly LGBT.

Roswell and Sandy Springs' lost points for not having non-discrimination laws in housing or private workplaces, and the absence of some LGBT services, including a human rights commission.

Despite the city's low ranking, Sandy Springs does have a broad reaching policy on equality when it comes to city employees, said city spokeswoman Sharon Kraun.

The city passed an non-discrimination policy in June, which includes broader protections for LGBT people and applies to city business.

Roswell's harassment and non-discrimination polices apply equally to all city employees, said city community relations coordinator Karen Zitomer.

"We fully support a work environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying for any reason," she said.

These non-discrimination polices from both cities do not apply to private citizens or businesses.

Before publishing its scorecard, the Human Rights Campaign, sent each city a draft scorecard to review and offer feedback.

Here's a breakdown of each Georgia city's MEI score: