ST. PETERSBURG, FL - For the fifth year in a row, the City of St. Petersburg has scored a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI) – the only nationwide assessment of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy and services.

St. Pete was one of five cities in Florida to receive a perfect score, out of the 18 Florida cities and 506 total municipalities ranked.

Said Mayor Rick Kriseman: "We are incredibly proud to have received a perfect score for the fifth year in a row. It is a reflection of our values and policy advancements and serves as a vital message point for us when recruiting people and businesses to our city. We recognize that building an inclusive city never ends. There’s always work to do. We are committed to this work and ensuring that LGBTQ residents and visitors forever view St. Pete as a beacon of progress. Thank you to HRC for this program and accountability, to my city team, and to our residents for making sure the sun shines on everyone in St. Pete, regardless of who you love."

"For the fifth consecutive year, our city demonstrates its continuing commitment to equality for the LGBTQ community and for all that live in our great city,” Said Jim Nixon, City of St. Petersburg’s LGBTQ Liaison. “With the passage this year of our citywide anti-bullying policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression in all youth facing services and the resolution to include LGBTQ businesses in the city's Small Business Enterprise, we have committed to the work that keeps our city on the path to equality."

For more information on the HRC’s MEI, visit www.hrc.org/mei. For more information on the City’s LGBTQ commitment, visit www.stpete.org/lgbt.