Kansas City Earns a Perfect 100 on the HRC Municipal Equality Index

What That Means for LGBTQ+ Residents Across the Metro

Kansas City, Missouri has once again earned a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the national benchmark that evaluates how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are for LGBTQ+ people.

For queer residents in Kansas City and throughout the surrounding suburbs, this score sends a clear message:Kansas City is leading the region in building structures that protect and affirm LGBTQ+ people.

But what does the MEI actually measure? And how do the cities around Kansas City compare?

Let’s break it down.

What Is the HRC Municipal Equality Index?

The HRC Municipal Equality Index is an annual nationwide assessment conducted by the HRC Foundation. It examines how well cities support LGBTQ+ residents through:

• Non-discrimination laws

• City employment policies

• Municipal services

• Law enforcement practices

• Public leadership on LGBTQ+ equality

The scoring system evaluates concrete policies — not sentiment or reputation — giving a factual snapshot of how safe and supported queer people are at the city-government level.

What It Takes to Score 100

And How Kansas City Achieved It

To earn a perfect 100, a city must meet a broad set of LGBTQ-inclusive criteria. In Kansas City’s case, that includes:

1. Comprehensive Non-Discrimination Protections

Kansas City prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in:

• Housing

• Employment

• Public accommodations

These protections are enforceable and citywide.

2. Inclusive City Employment Practices

Kansas City provides:

• Non-discrimination protections for city employees

• Trans-inclusive healthcare

• Policies that recognize diverse family structures

3. LGBTQ-Focused Municipal Services

Including support for:

• LGBTQ+ youth

• People living with HIV/AIDS

• Transgender residents

• Community outreach and civil rights enforcement

4. Law Enforcement Accountability

Kansas City maintains:

• An LGBTQ+ police liaison

• Hate crime tracking and reporting protocols

• Policies supporting respectful engagement with LGBTQ+ residents

5. Visible Public Leadership

City leadership has been vocal and consistent in affirming LGBTQ+ residents and supporting equality initiatives.

Taken together, these policies paint a picture of a municipality that backs up its values with action.

How Surrounding Cities Scored

A Look at the Kansas City Metro

While Kansas City, Missouri scored a perfect 100, the surrounding metro reflects a mix of progress and gaps.

Below are local 2024 MEI scores from the cities the HRC evaluates:

Kansas City, MO – 100%

The regional leader in LGBTQ-inclusive policy.

Independence, MO – 44%

Some progress, but gaps in nondiscrimination protections and city services.

St. Joseph, MO – 30%

Lower protections overall, few LGBTQ-inclusive city policies.

Kansas City, KS (KCK/Wyandotte County) – 68%

Solid nondiscrimination foundation, room to grow in services and leadership.

Overland Park, KS – 59%

Includes key nondiscrimination protections but lacks several municipal-focused supports.

Olathe, KS – 0%

No LGBTQ-specific municipal protections reflected in the MEI’s rating criteria.

(Note: HRC does not rate every suburban municipality. This list includes cities in our region with official MEI scorecards.)

Why These Scores Matter for LGBTQ+ People Across the Metro

If you live, work, or spend time anywhere in the Kansas City area, these scores help you understand:

1. Your local protections may differ from your neighboring city.

A queer person working in KC but living in Olathe experiences very different policy environments.

2. Local government has enormous influence on daily life.

Things like:

• housing protections

• police engagement

• inclusive city services

• healthcare access

• public safety

…are set at the city level far more often than people realize.

3. Voting locally has direct impact.

City council races, mayoral elections, and county-level offices shape the policies that determine how safe, supported, and respected LGBTQ+ people feel.

4. The region is interconnected.

People cross city lines daily — for work, nightlife (Q included), school, family, or community events. Understanding the policy landscape helps queer residents move through the metro with awareness.

A Win for Kansas City — and a Call for Continued Engagement

Kansas City’s perfect score is something to be proud of. It reflects real progress, real leadership, and real commitment to LGBTQ+ residents.

But this moment also reminds us:

• Policy is local.

• Protecting LGBTQ+ people requires ongoing engagement.

• Local government matters — sometimes more than state or federal politics.

For queer residents in both KC proper and the surrounding suburbs, staying informed and participating in local elections ensures that these protections continue to grow across the region.

Kansas City set a high bar. And for those who live anywhere in the metro, understanding where your city currently stands is the first step toward creating a more inclusive, safe, and equitable region for us all.