Four Idaho cities have made the latest rankings of a national group that advocates for the rights of lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender people.
The Washington D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign released its third annualMunicipal Equality Index Wednesday. Boise, Idaho Falls, Meridian and Nampa are among the 353 cities ranked. The organization assigns cities a score based on "LGBT inclusion in municipal law and policy." It examines 47 different criteria in six categories.
The Idaho cities received the following scores: Boise, 74; Idaho Falls, 60; Meridian, 42; Nampa, 37. The national average was 59. The four Idaho cities' average was 53.
The organization says Idaho represents a national trend in LGBT protections.
“From Mississippi to Idaho, mid-size cities and small towns have become the single greatest engine of progress for LGBT equality--changing countless lives for the better,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.
In late October, Lewistonbecame the ninth Idaho city to pass LGBT protections. Cities and towns have taken up the matter as a push for LGBT protections in state law have been blocked by Republicans in the state Legislature.
Follow Scott Graf on Twitter@ScottGrafRadio
Copyright 2014 Boise State Public Radio