What it means for Erie to receive high LGBTQ inclusion marks for second consecutive year

Kevin Flowers, Erie Times-News
·3 min read
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For the second consecutive year, the city of Erie’s commitment to providing equal rights and opportunities for residents — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity — has been recognized.

Thousands of people marched in the Erie Pride Parade, which took place downtown on June 24.
Thousands of people marched in the Erie Pride Parade, which took place downtown on June 24.

Erie was among 120 U.S. cities to receive the highest-possible score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s latest annual Municipal Equality Index.

The foundation is the educational arm of the nation’s largest organization promoting civil rights for the LGBTQ community.

What is the index?

The index rates cities based on their non-discrimination laws, employment practices, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ equalty, among other factors.

Erie also received a 100 score on the Municipal Equality Index in 2022.

LGBTQ rights and support: How does Erie rate? Here's what a national study found

“Our city’s leaders have worked hard to create an environment where every LGBTQ+ resident, employee, and visitor can thrive,” Erie Mayor Joe Schember said in a statement.

“I would especially like to thank our LGBTQ+ Advisory Council members who have worked extremely hard to draft the policies and practices that helped us achieve this score as we all strive to make Erie an inclusive community.”

City of Erie efforts to promote inclusion

The city’s LGBTQ+ advisory group was created by Schember in 2018 to work with city officials on issues facing the local LGBTQ community.

In recent years, the city of Erie has also:

  • appointed LGBTQ liaisons to the mayor's office and Erie Bureau of Police;

  • Supported a ban within the city on conversion therapy, a controversial practice that aims to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, approved by Erie City Council in June 2019;

  • adopted non-discrimination policies for city employment, including protections for LGBTQ applicants;

  • ensured health care benefits for transgender employees;

  • adopted policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual preference or gender identity in awarding city contracts;

  • Launched a bullying prevention project for young people implemented through the Police Athletic League;

  • Ensured appropriate hate crime reporting to the FBI; and

  • Promoted other LGBTQ policies and legislation.

Another recent example came in July, when Erie City Council approved a resolution sponsored by Councilwoman Susannah Faulkner declaring Erie a sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Previous coverage: Erie City Council OKs LGBTQ+ sanctuary city designation

Several cities across the country, including Kansas City, Missouri and West Hollywood, Calif., have pursued the designation to oppose state and/or federal actions to restrict rights for gay and/or transgender people.

Faulkner is a member of Erie’s LGBTQ+ community.

'Erie's example'

Alex Sphon, president of the NWPA Pride Alliance, said the city’s efforts to promote equality for all citizens deserve recognition.

Sphon is also a member of the city’s  LGBTQ+ Advisory Council.

“These scores are not easily achieved by cities. It’s not something that just happens,” Sphon said. “A city has to be able to justify its efforts and its commitment to support diversity, especially when it comes to the queer community.

“This score is a starting point. The work is not over,” Sphon said. “To become a truly diverse community, you never stop working until all areas of the community are diverse.”

Erie’s Michael Mahler agrees.

Erie's Michael Mahler came out publicly as a gay man in May 1992. He has been a longtime activist for LGBTQ rights.
Erie's Michael Mahler came out publicly as a gay man in May 1992. He has been a longtime activist for LGBTQ rights.

Mahler is the editor of Erie Gay News, was a founding member of the NW PA Pride Alliance and is also a member of the city’s LGBTQ+ council.  He also serves on the Pennsylvania  Commission on LGBTQ Affairs.

“So many groups and organizations have made this achievement possible,” Mahler said. "No score is a perfect representation, but I do get contacted by people looking to move to the area.

"Being able to say that the local LGBTQ+ community has a score of 100 has led to some people moving here," Mahler said. "It also hopefully leads other, nearby areas to consider policies and initiatives because of Erie's example.”

Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ETNflowers.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: City of Erie again ranks high in national LGBTQ equality index