What states dont have gay rights

Roundup of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation Advancing In States Across the Country

by Cullen Peele •

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As extremist lawmakers in mention houses across the country continue progressing a record-breaking number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills in state legislatures, the Human Rights Campaign — the nation’s largest queer woman , gay, bisexual, gender non-conforming and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights corporation — is providing the below snapshot (updated weekly) to illustrate the aggressive legislative climate facing LGBTQ+ people, and the scale and scope with which the ongoing legislative assault is entity waged.

This weaponization of public policy has been driven by extremist groups that have a elongated history in productive to oppress the existence and rights of LGBTQ+ people. Several of these organizations have been deemed hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center, such as the Alliance Defending Autonomy and the Family Research Council.

Year-to-Date Snapshot: 2023 Anti-LGBTQ+ Declare Legislative Activity

  • Over 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures, a record;

  • Over 220 bills specifically goal transgender and agender people, also a record; and

  • A re

    Which States Are Considering ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bills and Where They Stand

    Over the past three years, legislative attacks on education about gender identity and sexual orientation have picked up momentum.

    Since 2021, state lawmakers introduced 42 bills in 22 states restricting teaching about those topics, according to PEN America, a free speech advocacy corporation. Of those 42, only one, in Florida, has become law.

    The Florida commandment, commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” regulation, has resulted in censorship of classroom discussions about LGBTQ identities and lgbtq+ families, book challenges, and on inclusive gestures by teachers, such as hanging up a Pride flag in the classroom.

    The regulation was passed last year, and has prompted copycat bills across the nation, which seem to be increasing in volume compared with the previous two years. Since January, lawmakers introduced 26 bills in 14 states.

    None of those bills have been passed, but most are moving forward through statehouses. Many more states are expected to pass their versions this year, according to Jeremy Young, the senior manager of free expression and education at PEN America.

    Most of the newer bills propose expanding on the li

    Which countries impose the death penalty on gay people?

    Around the world, queer people continue to face discrimination, violence, harassment and social stigma. While social movements have marked progress towards acceptance in many countries, in others homosexuality continues to be outlawed and penalised, sometimes with death.

    According to Statistica Research Department, as of 2024, homosexuality is criminalised in 64 countries globally, with most of these nations situated in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In 12 of these countries, the death penalty is either enforced or remains a possibility for secret, consensual same-sex sexual activity.

    In many cases, the laws only apply to sexual relations between two men, but 38 countries own amendments that include those between women in their definitions.

    These penalisations represent abuses of human rights, especially the rights to freedom of expression, the right to develop one's own individuality and the right to life. 

    Which countries enforce the death penalty for homosexuality?

    Saudi Arabia

    The Wahabbi interpretation of Sharia law in Saudi Arabia maintains that acts of homosexuality should be disciplined in the sa

    LGBT People in the US Not Protected by Express Non-Discrimination Statutes

    At the federal level and in most states, non-discrimination statutes undertake not expressly enumerate sexual orientation and gender individuality as protected characteristics. Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C. expressly enumerate either or both of these characteristics in their non-discrimination statutes, although not necessarily in all settings. This analyze brief estimates the number of LGBT people who are protected by such statutes in the areas of employment, education, widespread accommodations, housing, and credit—and the number who are not.

    Key Findings

    • An estimated 8.1 million LGBT workers age 16 and older reside in the United States. Nearly half of these workers—3.9 million people—live in states without statutory protections against sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employment.
    • There are over 3.5 million LGBT students age 15 and older in the U.S. About 2 million live in states without statutory protections against sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in education.
    • There are an estimated 13 million LGBT people age 13 and older in the U.S. Approximately 6.5 millio

      For gay and transsexual people, these are the most (and least) welcoming states

      Each year for the last six, male lover advocacy group Out Leadership has produced an index gauging the business climate for gay and transgender people mention 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 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 Leaders index in 2024 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 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 decrease
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