From states with minimal protections to those leading in equality, this list starts with the least supportive and ascends to the most progressive in terms of LGBTQ+ acceptance and rights.
1. Mississippi, Alabama, South Dakota
These states have some of the most restrictive policies for LGBTQ+ rights in the country, with bans on transgender athletes and no comprehensive anti-discrimination laws. Mississippi’s Religious Liberty Accommodations Act allows businesses to deny services based on religious beliefs.
2. Arkansas, West Virginia
Both Arkansas and West Virginia have enacted laws that prevent transgender youth from accessing gender-affirming care and participating in sports that match their gender identity. Neither state offers substantial employment or housing protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
3. Tennessee, Missouri
Tennessee and Missouri have actively passed legislation that limits the rights of transgender individuals, including banning them from using facilities that match their gender identity. Both states lack inclusive anti-discrimination protections.
4. Wyoming, Montana
These states do not provide specific protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in employment, housing, or public accommodations. Recent legislation in Montana targeting transgender individuals’ rights has sparked national controversy.
5. Louisiana, Kentucky
In Louisiana and Kentucky, state-wide protections are absent, and recent legislative efforts have focused on limiting LGBTQ+ rights rather than expanding them. Local protections vary significantly between cities.
6. Texas, Georgia
Texas and Georgia have vibrant LGBTQ+ communities in major cities but lack comprehensive state-level protections. Recent bills in Texas aim to restrict transgender youth sports participation and health care access.
7. Oklahoma, South Carolina
Both states have minimal legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and have seen legislation that could potentially permit discrimination based on religious beliefs. Efforts to pass non-discrimination protections have repeatedly failed.
8. North Carolina, Indiana
North Carolina previously made headlines with its “Bathroom Bill,” though some restrictions have since been rolled back. Indiana has very limited protections and faced backlash for its Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which many feared would allow discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
9. Ohio, Pennsylvania
Ohio and Pennsylvania do not have comprehensive statewide non-discrimination laws for LGBTQ+ individuals, though several cities within each state have enacted local protections. Efforts at state-wide legislation have stalled.
10. Michigan, Arizona
Michigan recently expanded its Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include LGBTQ+ protections under Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Arizona has seen improvements in local anti-discrimination ordinances but lacks comprehensive state-level protections.
11. Virginia, New Hampshire
Virginia recently became the first Southern state to enact sweeping anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ+ community. New Hampshire has robust legal protections and was one of the first states to legalize same-sex marriage.
12. Wisconsin, Colorado
Wisconsin was a pioneer in anti-discrimination legislation but has not updated laws recently. Colorado has strong protections and was one of the first states to convert civil unions into marriage equality through legislation.
13. New Jersey, Illinois
Both states offer extensive legal protections and have robust policies supporting LGBTQ+ rights, including comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and support for transgender health care.
14. Massachusetts, Connecticut
Massachusetts and Connecticut are leaders in LGBTQ+ rights, with comprehensive protections across all sectors including health care, employment, and public accommodations. They were among the first to legalize same-sex marriage.
15. Washington
Washington is highly supportive of LGBTQ+ rights, with state laws that ensure comprehensive protections and promote equality.
16. New York
New York boasts strong LGBTQ+ protections and actively advances rights through progressive legislation and community support initiatives.
17. California
California remains a national leader in LGBTQ+ rights, known for its innovative and inclusive policies that support a diverse community.
A Diverse Landscape of LGBTQ+ Acceptance
From the states lagging behind to those setting benchmarks, the landscape of LGBTQ+ acceptance in the United States is diverse. Understanding and improving the legal frameworks in each state is crucial for advancing equality and ensuring that all individuals can live without fear of discrimination.
The post Ranked: How Does Your State Fair in LGBTQ Acceptance? first appeared on Pulse of Pride.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / lazyllama.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
