LGBTQ+ Civil Rights: Local Government Efforts in a Volatile Era

Abstract

AbstractLGBTQ+ issues at the local level pose some of the most pressing civil rights challenges in the current U.S. context. This analysis provides insight into what is taking place in major municipalities and how these efforts can be improved to bolster equity and civil rights for LGBTQ+ populations. At a time when identity, language, and public sector values are inherently intertwined and constantly changing, the following question is ripe for analysis: how are major U.S. municipalities addressing the civil rights needs of the LGBTQ+ population? To answer this question, an analysis of government websites from the top 10 U.S. cities by population is conducted, examining the policies, programs, and services that municipalities offer LGBTQ+ residents and the language used to frame these policies, programs, and services as expressions of power, representations of identity, and the website presentation itself.Evidence for Practice Municipalities should adopt comprehensive policies, programs, and services to promote LGBTQ+ civil rights that take into account the varied needs of their diverse populations. The language used in LGBTQ+ policies, programs, and services should be carefully considered, because language has the potential to build inclusion and trust among administrators and LGBTQ+ residents. Municipalities should not only develop more inclusive LGBTQ+ policies, programs, and services but also work to improve their accessibility and web presence so that knowledge of these efforts is readily available to LGBTQ+ individuals.