The Human Rights Campaign released its fifth annual Municipal Equality Index, which measures the state of LGBT equality in 506 cities across the country.
The Index also measured eight Alabama cities on a series of 44 criteria that fall into five general categories:
1) Non-discrimination laws
2)Municipal employment policies, including transgender-inclusive insurance coverage and non-discrimination requirements for contractors
3)Inclusiveness of city services
4)Law enforcement, including hate crimes reporting
5)Municipal leadership on matters of equality
Read More: This Is Not A Drill- Whataburger Is Really Coming To Tuscaloosa
None of the Alabama cities did well at all in the index- with none of the eight cities scoring above a 12 out of 100 possible points.
The national average was 55 points out of 100.
Here’s how the cities performed:
- Birmingham-12%
- Florence– 12%
- Hoover– 12%
- Montgomery– 9%
- Mobile– 7%
- Tuscaloosa– 6%
- Huntsville– 5%
- Auburn– 0%
The only points that Tuscaloosa received was for having “Enumerated Anti-Bullying School Policies” in place in city schools.
Pretty pitiful.
And if you think it is impossible for a Southern city to get a perfect score on the HRC index, you would really wrong.
Atlanta actually got a 104.
Orlando got a 100.
Heck even Gainesville, FL got a 98.
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Kimbo Slice Dead At 42
Bellator President Scott Coker has confirmed to BuzzFeed News that MMA legend Kimbo Slice has died at the age of 42.
MMA Fighter Kimbo Slice has died, according to a statement from Bellator President Scott Coker to @BuzzFeedNews pic.twitter.com/udZuWVriMe
— Jim Dalrymple II (@JimDalrympleII) June 7, 2016
WSVN in Miami is reporting that Slice was transported to Northwest Medical Center in Margate earlier today. It is not clear what triggered his transport to the hospital.
This is a developing story. Stay with RISE NEWS.
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Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Just Got A Surprise Democratic Opponent
Longstanding South Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen just got a big surprise as an opponent in the upcoming race for the District 27 seat. And his name is Scott Fuhrman.
According to Roll Call, Fuhrman is a third generation South Floridian who runs a bottling plant that employs 75 people.
He apparently intends to put in at least $250,000 of his own money into the campaign in an effort to dislodge the popular Ros-Lehtinen.
Ros-Lehtinen is a moderate Republican who has refused to publicly endorse Donald Trump. She also has a transgender son and is a strong supporter of LGBT rights.
Fuhrman is a Democrat and announced his candidacy in an online video.
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in public affairs. You can write for us.
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Archbishop Curley Notre Dame To Merge With Monsignor Edward Pace High School
The Archbishop of Miami Thomas Wenski announced in a press release on Monday the merger of Archbishop Curley Notre Dame (ACND) high school in Miami with Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens.
As a result of the merger, ACND will close for the first time since 1953.
Wenski also made the announcement via a letter sent home to parents at both schools.
The merger will happen at the start of the 2017/2018 school year and current students at ACND will receive automatic admission to Pace if they meet certain academic standards.
“This decision to consolidate the two schools was made by the Archdiocese of Miami in order to provide the students with a continued experience of the presence of Jesus Christ, an enhanced educational experience and additional extracurricular opportunities,” Wenski said in the statement. “With your child attending a larger school, he/she will experience signature academies, new technology, fine arts programs, seventy clubs and activities, and enjoy award-winning sports teams.”
Curley seems to have broken the news to its students and alumni on Facebook by sharing the release from the Archdiocese.
“It is with great sorrow that we share this news with our ACND family and friends,” the school wrote on its Facebook page. “Today is a tough day for our school, teachers, alums, and all others who care about ACND.”
Judging by Facebook comments left on the ACND page, it is clear that not everyone agrees with the decision.
But it seems to be final.
“The Archdiocese of Miami is grateful for the many priests, religious brothers and sisters, lay faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, parents, donors, and board members who have generously donated and dedicated years, time, and expertise for each student at ACND to become a successful graduate,” Wenski said in the statement.
According to the school, ACND was the first predominantly white high school in Florida to admit an African-American students.
That happened in 1960.
Are you a ACND alum and want to write about your positive times at Curley? Email us at [email protected] We are interested in hearing from you.
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in the world. You can write for us.
What Do You Think?