Morgantown Human Rights Commission

Thank you to the Dominion Post for highlighting the Human Rights Commission’s work. This is their coverage of our Municipal Equality Index, which ranks Morgantown as the most LGBTQ+-inclusive city in West Virginia, and the highest-ranked small city in the Country.

Morgantown is rated as a ⭐️Gold Star City⭐️ for our LGBTQ+-friendly laws, policies, and practices. Citizens, be proud. 🏆

🌈Every year, the Human Rights Campaign (“the Campaign”), a nationwide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, rates U.S. cities on their efforts to promote equality and a nurturing environment for LGBTQ+ community members. Its results are published as the Municipal Equality Index (MEI). 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The Morgantown Human Rights Commission prepares the City’s MEI report each year.

On November 18th, the Campaign released scores nationally for the 2025 MEI. The score includes 100 Base Points and 22 FLEX Points. Even though there are 122 points available, 100 is considered a perfect score.

Over 130 cities nationwide participate in the program. Morgantown has participated since its inception and consistently scores well. Six other West Virginia cities also participate.

💫This year, Morgantown knocked it out of the park. Only 7 cities scored higher than us: Madison (WI), 122 pts; Boulder (CO), 119 pts.; Seattle, 118 pts; Palm Springs (CA), 117 pts.; Virginia Beach (VA), 117 pts.; Denver, 116 pts; and Arlington County (VA), 116 pts. Five cities matched our score of 115 points: Chicago, Philadelphia, State College (PA), and Irvine (CA).

🎉Morgantown, West Virginia, ranked in the top 6% of participating cities. Ours is the only such score in a solidly Red State and the smallest city to achieve it. 🏅

OUR PLACE is a safe space and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ community members aged 18+ to gather.
The next event is on November 19th, 2025, from 6 to 10 p.m., at the Co-op.