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.
- 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.
- Athens — 21
- Atlanta — 100
- Augusta-Richmond — 12
- Avondale Estates — 41
- Columbus — 38
- Decatur — 21
- North Druid Hills — 12
- Roswell — 11
- Sandy Springs — 22
- Savannah — 44
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