Posted on Nov 15, 2023
St. Louis receives perfect score in annual Human Rights Campaign equality report
1.27K
5
3
3
3
0
Posted 6 mo ago
Responses: 3
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."“Never in [our] 37-year history … has there been such a dangerous legislative session, such as the one in 2023,” said Robert Fischer, director of communications for PROMO, a statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy group. “We begin the 2024 legislative session in only a matter of weeks, and next year looks to be more of the same with renewed attacks on LGBTQ+ people, Black and brown individuals.”
The perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign comes after the City of St. Louis’ 11-member LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board released its findings and recommendations after roughly a year’s worth of convenings.
The Jones-created group, in part, commended the city on pushing inclusive policies across city departments and ongoing education for first responders. But it noted a mistrust between LGBTQ+ people and the government, discrimination in housing and employment, as well as decentralized resources.
The board’s recommendations include improving language in governmental documents, adopting a gender-inclusive municipal ID, expanding public education on queer issues and enshrining antidiscrimination clauses in the city charter.
Despite the increase in anti-LGBTQ+ policies across the country, advocates said they are hopeful for the future in St. Louis.
“St. Louis is what we call an 'all-star city’ because it is a beacon of hope and progress in a state that too often turns its back on its citizens,” Robinson said. “St. Louis, and all the all-star cities across America, remind us that even in these tough times, we can come together and make our world more equal and more inclusive.”"
..."“Never in [our] 37-year history … has there been such a dangerous legislative session, such as the one in 2023,” said Robert Fischer, director of communications for PROMO, a statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy group. “We begin the 2024 legislative session in only a matter of weeks, and next year looks to be more of the same with renewed attacks on LGBTQ+ people, Black and brown individuals.”
The perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign comes after the City of St. Louis’ 11-member LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board released its findings and recommendations after roughly a year’s worth of convenings.
The Jones-created group, in part, commended the city on pushing inclusive policies across city departments and ongoing education for first responders. But it noted a mistrust between LGBTQ+ people and the government, discrimination in housing and employment, as well as decentralized resources.
The board’s recommendations include improving language in governmental documents, adopting a gender-inclusive municipal ID, expanding public education on queer issues and enshrining antidiscrimination clauses in the city charter.
Despite the increase in anti-LGBTQ+ policies across the country, advocates said they are hopeful for the future in St. Louis.
“St. Louis is what we call an 'all-star city’ because it is a beacon of hope and progress in a state that too often turns its back on its citizens,” Robinson said. “St. Louis, and all the all-star cities across America, remind us that even in these tough times, we can come together and make our world more equal and more inclusive.”"
(1)
(0)
Read This Next