Lgbt friendly states in usa
State Equality Index 2024
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The Human Rights Campaign State Equality Index (SEI) is a comprehensive state-by-state report that provides a review of statewide laws and policies that change LGBTQ+ people and their families.
The SEI rates all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. in six areas of regulation and assigns the states to one of four separate categories.
Check your state's scorecard by texting SEI to 472472 from your mobile phone. (msg & data rates may apply. Text Cease to quit, Facilitate for info.)
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In these states, advocates emphasis on raising assist for basic Homosexual equality, such as non-discrimination protections in employment, housing and public accommodations. These states are most likely to hold religious refusal or other anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Advocates often further LGBTQ equality by focusing on municipal protections for Diverse people or contradictory negative legislation that targets the Homosexual community.
States in this category include:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Monta
For gay and transgender people, these are the most (and least) welcoming states
Each year for the last six, gay advocacy community Out Leadership has produced an index gauging the business climate for gay and transgender people state by state, mapping out where they can live and work with the least discrimination and hardship.
Last year as anti-LGBTQ+ bills swarmed statehouses across the country, the average score for all 50 states dropped for the first time.
Todd Sears, Out Leadership’s founder and CEO, says he was not surprised when the average score fell again in 2024 as Republicans sharpened attacks on gay and trans person rights heading into the presidential election.
“It was just confirmation of what we have already seen unfortunately,” Sears told USA TODAY.
New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts remained at the top of the Out Leadership index in 2024 while Arkansas received the lowest score since the index began.
The average score across all 50 states was 62.77 out of 100, compared to 63.48 in 2023 and 64.61 in 2022.
State business rankings slip because of 'Don't Say Gay' and other bills
The largest decreases were driven by rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and sta
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has ranked each articulate across the country for its approach to Queer equality and a Newsweek map shows where each state stands on the spectrum.
A total of 23 states received the lowest classification from the HRC. Newsweek has reached out to press representatives for the individual governmental bodies for each state, via email or online establish outside of regular functional hours for comment.
Why It Matters
Bills and legislation anticipated under the second presidential term of President Donald Trump may potentially signal a shift in tone toward LGBTQ+ rights in America, but the HRC reports that "487 anti-equality bills" were introduced into state legislatures in 2024 around the country, and 46 were signed into law.
What To Know
Recent bills and legislature, including the banning of pride flags at U.S. embassies, cutting federal support for gender transitions for individuals under the age of 19 and an executive direct that calls for the Pentagon to revise its policy on transgender service members, are making Homosexual people feel uncomfortable, says the HRC.
According to the HRC's survey called Impact of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation on LGBTQ+ Adults,
Snapshot: LGBTQ Equality by State
The Movement Advancement Venture (MAP) tracks over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies. This map shows the overall policy tallies (as different from sexual orientation or gender culture tallies) for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five populated U.S. territories. A state’s policy tally scores the laws and policies within each state that shape LGBTQ people's lives, experiences, and equality. The major categories of laws covered by the policy tally include: Relationship & Parental Recognition, Nondiscrimination, Religious Exemptions, LGBTQ Youth, Health Care, Criminal Justice, and Individuality Documents.
Click on any state to view its detailed policy tally and state profile, or click "Choose an Issue" above to view maps on over 50 diverse LGBTQ-related laws and policies.
High Overall Policy Tally (15 states + D.C.)
Medium Overall Policy Tally (5 states)
Fair Overall Policy Tally (3 states, 2 territories)
Low Overall Policy Tally (10 states, 3 t