RR below average in LGBT survey

RIO RANCHO — A report by the Human Rights Campaign assessing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality scores the city of Rio Rancho below the national average.

The recently released report rated 408 cities in America, including six in New Mexico. HRC is the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization.

The 2015 Municipal Equality Index examines laws, policies and services of municipalities and rates them on the basis of inclusivity of LGBT people who live and work there.

The average city score was 56 points out of 100 points, with half of the cities researched scoring over 61 points.

The score for Rio Rancho was 45.

The average score for cities in New Mexico was 55. Albuquerque scored 75; Eldorado at Santa Fe, 45; Las Cruces, 45, Roswell, 48; and Santa Fe 76.

Nationwide, 11 percent of the cities scored 100 points; 25 percent scored over 77 points; 25 percent scored under 31 points; and five percent scored fewer than 10 points.

HRC found that legal protections and benefits for LGBT people vary widely from state to state, and city to city. In 31 states, LGBT people are still at risk of being fired, denied housing or refused service because of who they are, and who they love.

The full report, including detailed scorecards for every city and a searchable database, can be viewed at hrc.org/mei.