Town Receives Perfect Score in LGBTQ+ Protections

The Town of Amherst has earned a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2025 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a one-point increase from last year’s near-perfect score of 99. Amherst joins Northampton, Worcester, and other Massachusetts municipalities in achieving this score. The MEI evaluates cities and towns nationwide, measuring how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services impact LGBTQ+ residents. The full 2025 MEI report with Amherst’s scorecard can be found here.

According to Pamela Nolan-Young, director of the town’s department of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the creation of the Amherst Police Department’s LGBTQ+ liaison position was one reason why this year’s perfect score was possible. The liaison — currently Detective Marcus Huber — serves as an advocate, ensuring members of the LGBTQ+ community feel safe reporting any issues they may have. The position was created in response to the town’s 2023 MEI score of 74, where it lost points due to the lack of this liaison position.

The index evaluates municipalities based on five key criteria: non-discrimination laws, benefits and protections for LGBTQ+ employees, municipal-provided programs and services for LGBTQ+ residents, responsible reporting of hate crimes and engagement with LGBTQ+ citizens by law enforcement, and LGBTQ+ representation in town leadership. The final MEI score consists of 100 total base points and 22 total bonus “flex” points across all categories. 

Eleven of Amherst’s points were earned in these bonus “flex” points, which made up for the eight base points that Amherst had lost in other criteria. The town lost six points for the lack of a “city contractor non-discrimination ordinance,” which ensures that businesses don’t discriminate in employment or service provisions through mandated equal opportunity affirmative actions. The other two points were lost in “pro-equality legislative/policy efforts.” Some town initiatives that earned them these bonus points include services for LGBTQ+ youth, older adults, transgender residents, and individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as for having openly LGBTQ+ elected or appointed leaders.

In a Nov. 20 announcement, Town Manager Paul Bockelman expressed pride over Amherst’s perfect score and how it reflects the town’s inclusive and supportive community.“This accomplishment highlights the commitment of our town departments, community leaders, and advocates who work tirelessly to make Amherst a truly inclusive and welcoming place for all,” Bockleman said.

The announcement credited the town’s DEI department as a key player in spearheading various score-earning programs and initiatives.“A strong DEI department helps turn our values into action … [the score] reflects our commitment to equity and to building a community where everyone can truly belong and thrive,” Assistant Director of the Department of DEI Philip Avila said.

Local activists reacted with cautious praise for the score. Many considered areas for improvement, specifically the need to increase funding for crucial services, including the DEI office and Community Responders for Equity, Safety & Service (CRESS), to further expand programs and initiatives for underserved communities. 

“Fully funding CRESS and DEI will further help our most vulnerable residents, since these departments assist all those who are marginalized, ensuring protection of their rights,” Co-Chair of the Town’s Community Safety and Social Justice Committee (CSSJC) Debora Ferreira said to the Amherst Indy on Nov. 25.

Activists felt that while the score was a major step forward for LGBTQ+ protections in town, more needs to be done to ensure other marginalized groups are afforded the same advances in equality and inclusiveness.“I believe the town needs to do more to outwardly message that Amherst is inclusive to all, especially those who are on the margins due to race, English proficiency, immigration status, and all other protected statuses, including [LGBTQ+],” Ferreira said.