Atlanta recently made news scoring a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign’s second annual Municipal Equality Index.  In the same index, WABE followed up with a report that Decatur scored the lowest score in the metro area with just a 27 rank.

City Manager Peggy Merriss pointed out to WABE that Decatur’s small size and the structure of its government prevented it from checking off some factors used to create the score…

One factor used in the survey is having an LGBT official in government.  That is something that is tough for Decatur, which has a population of about 20,000.

“We don’t have mayor’s liaisons to anything.  He shares a desk with the four other city commissioners and when they come in, they have a desk and a phone they can use.  The mayor doesn’t even have an office,” says Merriss.

However, neighboring Avondale Estates scored a 56.  So a direct comparison of areas where either Decatur or Avondale scored points may shed some light on the discrepancy in scores.

Relationship Recognition

• Municipal Domestic Partnership Registry: Decatur 0 of 12, Avondale 12 of 12

Municipality as Employer

• Non-Discrimination in City Employment: Decatur 10 of 10, Avondale 10 of 10
• Domestic Partner Benefits: Decatur 4 of 4, Avondale 0 of 4
• Municipality if a Welcoming Place to Work: Decatur 0 of 2, Avondale 2 of 2

Municipal Services

• LGBT liaison in Mayor’s Office: Decatur 0 of 5, Avondale 5 of 5
• Enumerated Anti-Bullying School Policies: Decatur 3 of 3, Avondale 3 of 3

Law Enforcement

• LGBT Police Liaison or Task Force: Decatur 0 of 8, Avondale 8 of 8

Relationship with the LGBT Community

• Leadership’s Public Position on LGBT Equality: Decatur 2 of 5, Avondale 5 of 5
• Openly LGBT elected or appointed municipal leaders: Decatur 3 of 3, Avondale 3 of 3
• City engages with the LGBT community: Decatur 2 of 2, Avondale 2 of 2

h/t: Decaturish