Share the scorecard results and present options for further diversity and inclusion within Flagstaff to City Council for consideration.  Listen to City Council discussion to gain understanding on desired outcomes.  City Staff will use this information to update and/or create policies, procedures and/or outreach activities to reach desired outcomes.

The City Council reviewed the initial draft of the 2018 Municipal Equality Index (MEI) measuring how inclusive city laws, policies, and services are of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) population.  City Staff has continued to work with MEI making improvements in the scoring in non-discrimination in City employment, City contractor non-discrimination ordinance, inclusive workplace, City employee domestic partner benefits, LGBTQ Liaison in City Executive's Office, providing services to LGBTQ youth, LGBTQ Police Liaison or Task Force, and Leadership's public position on LGBTQ Equality.  The final score for 2018 is 88 points versus the 67 points received in 2017. 

There are no anticipated changes in the scorecard for 2019. There will be resources, sample language and issue briefs available to improve the City's score for next year.

Areas where the City can continue to focus is housing; single occupancy all-gender facilities; protecting youth from conversion therapy; youth bullying prevention policy; providing services to LGBTQ homeless, elders and transgender community; demonstrating Leadership pro-equality legislation or policy efforts; and testing the limits on any restrictive state laws(s). The attached presentation provides some options in support of diversity and inclusion within Flagstaff.

The MEI Scorecard introduced brand new criteria in 2018 such as anti-conversion therapy protections, all-gender single-occupancy facilities, and city services youth bullying prevention policies.  In addition, Inclusive Workplace and Non-Discrimination Ordinance Enforcement by Human Rights Commission pointed were moved from bonus to standard points and the MEI deducted points for religious exemptions that singled out the LGBTQ community.  There were 25% of the 506 cities that scored over 83 points and Flagstaff Arizona was one of these cities.  Flagstaff Arizona received the fourth highest score when compared to the other ten cities who participated in the MEI Scorecard process. 

The City's Civil Rights Ordinance and discrimination and harassment policies include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender bias.  The City also requires these types of policies in all businesses the City contracts with for goods and/or services.  Areas in which the City can focus to improve in the area of non-discrimination laws is to make single use facilities (i.e. bathrooms and changing rooms) in City facilities and then consider broadening to all business within Flagstaff city limits and to enact laws to protect youth from conversion therapy. The City could also research the ways in which Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa has implemented protections in Housing within the confines of the Arizona State Law.  Internally the City could continue to promote diversity and inclusion by creating a policy for employees who transition during employment; invest in more diverse job advertising such as LGBTQ periodicals, events and/or fostering relations with LGBTQ student organizations; and continue to explore the addition of transgender inclusive health care benefits in the Northern Arizona Public Employees Benefits Trust benefits booklet.

The Commission on Diversity Awareness is the City's commission responsible for fostering mutual understanding, tolerance, respect and awareness among all citizens.  This commission cooperates in the development of educational programs to improve community relations and enlisting support of various groups to foster diversity awareness.  In an effort to improve municipal services the City could create policies that expressly prohibit bullying in sexual orientation and gender identity in all youth facing City programs, activities, services and facilities such as Parks and Recreation, Library and any other section or service incorporating young people  The City could also provide services directly, fund organizations that provide services or provide other types of meaningful support such as in-kind or subsidized use of facilities for LGBTQ homeless, LGBTQ elders and transgender community. 

The City received full credit in the area of law enforcement.  The Flagstaff Police Department ensures safety for all by treating LGBTQ people with understanding and respect, remaining mindful of LGBTQ unique law enforcement concerns and engaging the LGBTQ community in a positive way.  The Police Department developed a transgender policy in 2015 in partnership with the Northern Arizona PRIDE President; provide ongoing Diversity training to Police personnel; continually review diversity efforts in recruitment; and developed a policy on Hate or Prejudice Crimes. 

The City's leadership can continue to improve diversity and inclusion within the municipal organization and Flagstaff community by promoting pro-equality legislative or policy efforts and testing limits on restrictive state laws.  This work supports the City's mission, vision and values and may also advance social justice in our community for LGBTQ community members.