Birmingham's new high score on an equality index from a gay rights group improves the city's chances of landing an Amazon headquarters or recruiting other businesses, government officials said today.

"Absolutely it does," said Mayor-Elect Randall Woodfin, who takes office on Nov. 28.

"We want to let businesses know Birmingham is an inclusive city," said Birmingham City Council President Jonathan Austin, who leaves office on Monday. "Businesses look at communities like this. We are here. We are progressive. We are open for business."

Birmingham scored 83 out of 100, the highest of any city in Alabama, on a new Municipal Equality Index ranking released today, said officials with the Human Rights Campaign. That's up from a score of 12 last year, they said.

The increased ranking was a result of Birmingham passing a comprehensive anti-discrimination ordinance this year that specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

"Birmingham has made history," said Eva Kendrick, state director of the Human Rights Campaign. "I am proud of the city I call home."

In addition to Birmingham, other Alabama cities ranked in the Municipal Equality Index are Auburn, which scored a 4; Florence, 12; Hoover, 18; Huntsville, 17; Mobile, 9; Montgomery, 23; and Tuscaloosa, 34.

Jo Dee Winterhof, senior vice president of the Human Rights Campaign, said that inclusiveness is a major factor considered when corporations are relocating. She made reference to North Carolina's controversial bathroom law House Bill 2, which was repealed earlier this year after businesses left the state and major sporting events and concerts were canceled. The law required people to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender at birth.

"Corporate America's bottom line is hurt by anti-equality laws," Winterhof said.

Cities should take the opposite approach and adopt inclusive laws to attract business, she said. "It's the right thing to do."

State Rep. Merika Coleman said other Alabama cities should adopt ordinances modeled after Birmingham's. "This has shown you don't have to wait on Montgomery," Coleman said. "Do what Birmingham did. We want an Alabama we can be proud of. We want to bring business to Alabama."