State College is one of 120 cities to receive a perfect score on the 2022 Human Rights Campaign Municipality Equality Index. The MEI evaluates LGBTQ+ inclusivity across borough laws, employment, facilities, services, and more.

This is the fifth year in a row that State College has earned a score of 100 on the evaluation. Across Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Erie, and Philadelphia also received perfect scores, while Allentown followed behind with a rating of 94.

Mayor Ezra Nanes, who was elected in November 2021, has made LGBTQ+ equality and inclusivity an important part of his platform during his campaign. Nanes has continued to petition for LGBTQ+ rights during his term as mayor, showing up to the State College Pride Parade last summer and issuing a proclamation declaring Transgender Day of Visibility in March.

The MEI chooses cities to evaluate based on multiple factors, including population, the proportion of same-sex couples, and the municipalities that are home to each state’s two largest universities. Selected cities are evaluated on almost 50 factors across five different categories — non-discrimination laws, municipality employment, municipal services, law enforcement, and effort of leadership toward LGBTQ+ equality.

The national average score across more than 500 cities in the United States was 68, marking only a slight increase from last year’s average of 67. While State College can’t get any better on paper, it’s crucial for the borough to remain inclusive and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community for years to come.