Like Jaguar’s DEI score, the Myrtle Beach MEI score is a perfect 100.
The City of Myrtle Beach issued a press release touting its perfect MEI score. The MEI and DEI scores are synonymous.
The City of Myrtle Beach earned a score of 100 in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s 2024 Municipality Equality Index (MEI).
The MEI examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are in cities and towns across the country. Municipalities with high scores are considered by the HRC to be inclusive to LGBTQ+ individuals.
MYRTLE BEACH MEI – Mayor Bethune is a considerable supporter
The Myrtle Beach MEI score of 100, the highest possible score, was also the highest of any municipality in South Carolina. Myrtle Beach joins 129 other municipalities across the country that earned a 100.
This comes one year after the Myrtle Beach MEI score was ranked at a 99.
The HRC’s MEI scorecard includes five categories: non-discrimination laws, municipality as employer, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. The full Myrtle Beach MEI scorecard is available here.
“I know that this particular survey takes a close look at how inclusive we are towards the LGBTQ+ community, but I would be remiss if I didn’t say that this is an indication of how we are towards every community,” Director of Community Engagement for the City of Myrtle Beach Kelvin Waites said.
Largely responsible for Myrtle Beach MEI increase from a 99 in 2023 to a 100 in 2024 was the City Council’s passing of the hate intimidation ordinance, which makes it illegal to intimidate, harass, injure or damage the property of someone based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability or national origin.
The city’s Human Rights Commission also worked with city leaders to make sure Myrtle Beach is as inclusive as possible.
“I am very excited to see Myrtle Beach scored a 100 on the 2024 MEI,” Myrtle Beach Human Rights Commission Chair Terry Livingston said. “I feel our score accurately reflects the efforts made by the city to encourage not only the LGBTQ+ community, but all citizens of the city to live free of discrimination and be the best they can be.”
