For the fourth year in a row, the City of Erie has scored a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The MEI is a nationwide evaluation of 506 cities. It examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Each city is rated on 49 criteria, including non-discrimination laws, employment, and municipal services.
Cities are ranked on a scale of 0-100. In 2018, Erie scored a fifty. However, since 2022, the city has earned a perfect score of 100.
As Joe Schember’s time as Erie mayor comes to an end, he calls the score a proud accomplishment.
“I think it means a lot to the city of Erie and everyone here,” said Mayor Schember. Â “The more we can make people aware the happier I’ll be at least, and I think the happier everyone will be if they understand what we’ve achieved and how we’ve maintained that now for four years.”
As for his plans after serving as mayor, Schember tells Erie News Now that he is going to relax with his family for the month of January.
In February, Schember hopes to take on a new role in some capacity that will allow him to help the city of Erie.