TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — A top score for the city of Tallahassee.
The Human Rights Foundation recognized Tallahassee for its inclusiveness and work for the LGBTQ+ community in their Municipal Equality Index Evaluation.
A perfect 100, Tallahassee one of eight Florida cities highlighted for their efforts to make life better for the LGBTQ+ community.
City leaders say even with a top score, there's still much work to do.
"The work has just begun. There are still areas in our community that improvement can still be made," said Andy Janecek, an LGBTQ+ Advisory Council member.
Making LGBTQ+ issues a priority has been the mission of local leadership, with 2020 shedding light on inequalities the community may face daily.
Janel Diaz says the score was a little higher than she expected, and they are going to continue to work hard to keep that 100.
"We don't even have a community center for our LGBTQ+ youth; we have housing disparities within our transgender community and even in our elder community," said Diaz who also sits on the LGBTQ+ advisory council.
Those issues are why Mayor John Dailey felt the need to start an LGBTQ+ council, one of the few in Florida.
"I thought it was very important to create the council so that the advisory council plays a very significant role in keeping their eyes out for future policies we should consider," said Dailey.
Recent policy decisions scoring major points for Tallahassee, like the Youth Conversion Therapy Ban.
Services to LGBTQ+ youth, the homeless, and the transgender community also contributed to the evaluation.
A high score does not mean perfect, but it does mean the city is on the right path.
"That 100 percent I think that to me represents the commitment that's been made that's people who got involved in the council and are really pushing to see these things progress positively," Janecek said.
In 2019 Tallahassee scored a 99 out of 100 in their evaluation.
The LGBTQ+ council is now asking for feedback to continue improving the community.
