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Kansas City’s Municipal Equality Index score
Brian Platt painting rainbow road in KC
Be proud of Kansas City. | Photo by City of Kansas City
The Human Rights Campaign released the 2022 Municipal Equality Index, and Kansas City is on the list. How did we score?

Each year, the Human Rights Campaign releases a Municipal Equality Index which takes a deep dive into municipal laws, policies, and services + how inclusive they are of LGBTQ+ people. This year’s edition examined 506 cities on 49 different criteria across five categories — non-discrimination laws, municipality as employer, services and programs, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.

Based on these criteria, Kansas City, MO earned a score of 100 out of 100. A perfect score. Here’s a breakdown of how we got here… and how we can go even further.

Non-discrimination laws

This category looks at whether LGBTQ+ discrimination is prohibited by law in areas of employment, housing, and public accommodation. KC achieved a 26 out of 30 for our laws across the state, county, and municipality, and received bonus points for single-occupancy all-gender facilities and protections against youth conversion therapy.

Municipality as employer

Cities can achieve points for inclusive employment policies like trans-inclusive healthcare policies and non-discrimination in city employment. KC got a 28 out of 28, and earned bonus points for city employee domestic partner benefits.

Services and programs

This section considers the city’s efforts to include LGBTQ+ folks in city services and programs. KC scored 12 out of 12, and got bonus points for city-offered services to the transgender community and those living with HIV or AIDS.

Law enforcement

Looking at the relationship between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community, KC earned 22 out of 22.

Leadership on LGBTQ+ equality

This section looks at city leadership’s commitment to advocacy and inclusion. KC got an 8 out of 8, and earned bonus points for having openly LGBTQ+ elected or appointed leaders.

Where we can improve

KC earned its perfect score with bonus points and would achieve a higher score with a few extra efforts. For example, the city could provide services to LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness and LGBTQ+ older adults.

How do you think we could make our community more welcoming to all? Let us know.
MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY
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Today, Dec. 6
  • Little Explorer’s Club + Frozen Fossils: Polar Dinosaurs | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 10:15-11 a.m. | 5801 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS | $0-$5 | Little explorers will learn about dinos found in the ice, and they also get to make their own snow globe. 🦕
  • Cookies with Santa | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | KCKCC Pioneer Center, 1901 Spruce St., Leavenworth, KS | Free | Enjoy crafts, activities, pictures with Santa, and cookie decorating. 🍪
  • Class: Macramé Wall Hanging | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 6-8:30 p.m. | 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS | $40-$44 | Learn braiding + knot techniques, resulting in your own custom macrame wall hanging.
Wednesday, Dec. 7
  • Pearl Harbor Commemoration | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Powell Community Center, 6200 Martway St., Mission, KS | Free | Commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor with guest speaker John T. Kuehn, retired naval aviator and professor of military history.
  • Amon Amarth | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 6:30 p.m. | Uptown Theater | $42-$70 | Join “The Great Heathen Tour” with guests Carcass, Obituary + Cattle Decapitation.
  • A Christmas Carol | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 7 p.m. | Kansas City Repertory Theatre, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO | $39-$109 | Partake in this 40-year KC tradition, and follow Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey with Christmas Past, Present, and Future. 🌟
Thursday, Dec. 8
  • Mission Community Food Pantry | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 4-6 p.m. | Trinity Lutheran Church, 5601 W. 62nd St., Mission, KS | Free | This drive-through event is welcome to all every second and fourth Thursday of the month.
  • Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Gem Theater, 1615 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO | $35 | Listen to Coldplay’s greatest hits like “Fix You” and “Paradise” while under the gentle glow of candlelight. 🕯️
Friday, Dec. 9
  • Pleasant Hill Christmas Market | Friday, Dec. 9 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Vantage Guitar Shop, 1004 Industrial Dr., Pleasant Hill, MO | Free | Enjoy an apple cider while strolling this holiday market. 🛍️

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS
6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 39º | Cloudy | 24% chance of rain
Community
  • Kansas City Parks & Recreation is gathering community input to get a better understanding of the needs and conditions of KC’s indoor + outdoor pools and spraygrounds. Stop by and hear more on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 4-6 p.m. — at 4201 E. 63rd St., KCMO. Find more ways to get involved here. 🏊‍♂️
Award
  • KC Water received the Kansas City Industrial Council’s Gold Innovation Award for the Trolley Trail Storage Basin Project. This project entailed using green infrastructure instead of large sewer pipes — a more sustainable solution for reducing sewer overflows in south KC. 💧
Concert
  • The Goo Goo Dolls will be returning to Starlight Theatre on Sunday, Aug. 27. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. If you see City Editor Bella there tearing up during “Iris” — no you didn’t. 🎟️
  • For the pop-punk lovers. The Truman announced a double-headliner with Real Friends and Knuckle Puck on Saturday, May 6. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Dec. 9. 🤘
Edu
  • Do you know a Kansas City Public Schools teacher who goes above and beyond to provide for their students? It’s time to show what you know and nominate them for the 2023 KCPS “Teacher of the Year” award. Nominations will be accepted here through Wednesday, Jan. 11. 🍎
Closed
  • Sweet Siam, a Westport Thai + sushi restaurant, has closed after six years primarily due to staffing struggles. Allred Management purchased the space — located at 4130 Pennsylvania Ave. — about three months ago with hopes to keep the location open. The 7,000 sqft building is now up for lease. (Kansas City Star)
Job
  • Calling all social media ninjas. The Johnson County Library is hiring a Social Media Coordinator to work on the development of content + strategy and day-to-day implementation of the library’s social media platforms. The first review of applicants will begin Monday, Dec. 19. Apply here. 📲
Seasonal
  • The Crossroads Hotel has teamed up with KC Night Market to offer a Shoppable Suite package to lessen the stress of last-minute gift shopping — available for the entire month of December. These suites come fully equipped to shop local fares from the comfort of your bed. Count us in. 🛍️
Holiday
  • Hello, perfect New Year’s Eve party. NYE Live! Kansas City is the night’s biggest event held in 12+ bars and nightclubs in the Power and Light District. Party-goers can look forward to exclusive venue access, all-inclusive food and drink packages, DJs, party favors, confetti cannons, and a Times Square-style ball drop. Get tickets.*
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KC BizCare(s) about local biz

KC BizCare’s funding for minority owned businesses
BizCare Office celebration KCtoday
We love KC small biz support. | Photo via KC BizCare
KC BizCare is making money moves — receiving $500,000+ of funding to go towards helping local minority business owners thrive.

KC BizCare provides technical assistance to entrepreneurs who are starting or operating a business in KCMO. Think: a 311 for small businesses within the city. Plus, they work to raise funds for grants and programs that will benefit local + minority owned biz. Win-win.

Let’s talk numbers.
What’s next? Check back here to find out more on the ordinance that will help establish a new start up capital fund.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Bella.


Editor’s pick: I wanted to give a big thank you to everyone who sent me espresso martini recommendations. Should I do a roundup of all the ones I try out? My hunt for the best one in KC starts this weekend. Let me know. 👀

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out this local market data.
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Editorial: Bella Rainey, Travis Meier, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea, Victoria Bardega | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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