Best states for lgbtq
Snapshot: LGBTQ Equality by State
The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) tracks over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies. This map shows the overall policy tallies (as distinct from sexual orientation or gender identity 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 Identity 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 other 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
As Pride Month begins, a new announce highlights widening disparities in how LGBTQ+ Americans experience noun and equality across the country. From access to health care and legal protections to the tone set by state leadership, conditions vary drastically.
Out Leadership's State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index, now in its seventh year, ranks all 50 states on how welcoming they are to LGBTQ+ residents. The findings come at a time of mounting legislative pressure, with hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in statehouses nationwide and public debates over flag bans and trans rights intensifying.
The annual index, compiled with input from the Williams Institute and the Movement Advancement Project, serves as a reference for corporate leaders and policymakers.
The Context
Pride arrives amid a heightened political and legislative backlash against LGBTQ+ rights. Utah became the first state to explicitly ban LGBTQ+ flags from government buildings and schools, Idaho and Montana following suit with restrictions.
The flag bans are part of a wider trend—at least 31 flag-relate
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has ranked each state across the country for its approach to LGBTQ+ 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 develop outside of regular working 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 " anti-equality bills" were introduced into declare legislatures in 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 instruct that calls for the Pentagon to revise its policy on transgender service members, are making LGBTQ+ people touch uncomfortable, says the HRC
For gay and transgender people, these are the most (and least) welcoming states
Each year for the last six, gay advocacy group Out Leadership has produced an index gauging the business climate for gay and transgender people verb 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 as Republicans sharpened attacks on gay and transgender 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 while Arkansas received the lowest score since the index began.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.The average score across all 50 states was out of , compared to in and in
State business rankings slip becau