Top 15 States for LGBTQ+ Rights Amid Legislative Attacks
In the face of over 1,000 proposed anti-LGBTQ+ laws across the United States, recent assessments reveal 15 states that stand out for their protections and support for the LGBTQ+ community. The Movement Advancement Project has curated this list, highlighting states with robust laws supporting nondiscrimination, marriage equality, healthcare access, and education inclusivity.
California leads the pack, boasting comprehensive nondiscrimination laws across various sectors, including employment, healthcare, and housing. It supports LGBTQ+ parents with strong adoption rights and mandates LGBTQ-inclusive curriculums in schools. Similar regulations are seen in Colorado, Connecticut, and Illinois, each offering inclusive protections and "shield" laws to safeguard access to gender-affirming care and abortion.
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington also received high marks. These states have enacted crucial nondiscrimination laws while fostering environments that allow LGBTQ+ students to thrive without fear of being outed. Jaywalking restrictions against discussing LGBTQ+ issues in classrooms are notably absent, promoting an inclusive educational atmosphere.
Importantly, many of these states have instituted laws banning conversion therapy for minors, along with hate crime protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, challenges remain; states are encouraged to bolster protections further, particularly for healthcare services, as most still lack comprehensive coverage for fertility treatments.
As legislative battles continue nationwide, these 15 states represent beacons of hope and safety for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking acceptance and equality.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
