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Brookings “Best” for LGBT Equality in South Dakota; Minneapolis Marvelous

That Sioux Falls paper summarizes the South Dakota results of the Municipal Equality Index, a nationwide survey of municipal laws, policies, and services respecting and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents and employees. Of five South Dakota metros surveyed, the best town to be something other than straight is Brookings. The scores:

  1. Brookings: 34
  2. Sioux Falls: 24
  3. Rapid City: 19
  4. Pierre: 13
  5. Aberdeen: 10

It's just slightly better to be gay in Pierre than in Aberdeen. And Pierre was once known for its "exorbitant" suicide rate. Oof.

But keep in mind: these scores are out of 100. So even Brookings is a risky way station for LGBT South Dakotans seeking the friendlier climes of, oh, say, the Twin Cities. Four hours east on Highway 14, Minneapolis offers a perfect Municipal Equality Index of 100; St. Paul, 96.

4 Comments

  1. interested party 2013.11.25

    Land of Infinite Homogeneity.

  2. interested party 2013.11.25

    Homogenized, pasteurized, engineered whitebread: now the state is giving land (tax-deferred, no doubt) to some retailer. Menards?

  3. Deb Geelsdottir 2013.11.25

    Those LBTG ratings are bad for business. Business leaders know that LBTG people have much to contribute. That's why they have policies that treat LBTG couples like straight couples, same benefits.

    In states which enjoy marriage for all couples, business is a big supporter of those laws and joined the campaigns for equality.

    "Land of Infinite Homogeneity." That's funny!

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