As of January 1, 2021, there are 21 states, Washington D.C. (see state nondiscrimination laws here), and at least 330 municipalities that fully and explicitly prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ people in employment, housing, and public accommodations. For a full listing of these municipalities, click the "city and county listing" tab above.
This map shows the percent of each state’s population with comprehensive protections: protected from discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity, in all three of private employment, housing, and public accommodations. While the vast majority of local ordinances are fully comprehensive, some ordinances protect only in certain areas (such as housing) or only based on sexual orientation. The portion of the public protected only by these partial ordinances are not included here. For more information about the scope of a state's coverage, including partial coverage, please see the city and county tab, or the detailed information in each state’s profile by clicking on that state in the map below.
*Utah's nondiscrimination law explicitly enumerates both sexual orientation and gender identity, but only in employment and housing, not public accommodations. Since this map displays "ideal" coverage (all three of employment, housing, and public accommodations), Utah is shown here as being without full or ideal protections.
*Wisconsin's nondiscrimination law explicitly enumerates sexual orientation, but not gender identity. As a result, 100% of Wisconsin residents are protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation, but residents are only protected from discrimination based on gender identity if their local city or county has enacted such protections.
Note that enforcement mechanisms within these ordinances varies by jurisdiction.
Percent of Adult LGBTQ Population Covered by Laws
*Note: These percentages reflect estimates of the LGBTQ adult population living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Estimates of the LGBTQ adult population in the five inhabited U.S. territories are not available, and so cannot be reflected here.
Click here for a list of city and county ordinances by state.
House To Vote On LGBT Protections Bill Equality Act Next Week
- By Carlos Santoscoy February 17, 2021
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Democrat from Maryland, on Tuesday announced that the House will vote on the Equality Act next week.
In a “Dear Colleague” letter, Hoyer said that the House will take up the legislation next week, the Washington Blade reported.
“Other legislation coming to the floor next week are two bills that passed through the House last Congress: a wilderness package and the Equality Act, which will end legal discrimination against LGBTQ Americans,” wrote Hoyer, who manages floor proceedings in the House.
Mitt Romney 'Not Able To Support' LGBT Protections Bill Equality Act
- By Carlos Santoscoy February 18, 2021
Utah Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican, on Tuesday announced that he would oppose passage of the Equality Act.
The Equality Act seeks to add protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to existing civil rights laws in key areas such as employment, credit, housing, federally-funded programs, and public accommodations. It also prohibits the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to enable anti-LGBT discrimination.
In a statement given to the Washington Blade, a Romney spokesperson said that the senator was opposed
“Sen. Romney believes that strong religious liberty protections are essential to any legislation on this issue, and since those provisions are absent from this particular bill, he is not able to support it,” Arielle Mueller said in an email.
The legislation is a priority for the Biden administration.
While support in the House, which passed the legislation last year, is strong, the Equality Act has yet to be voted on in the Senate, where 60 votes are needed for bills to avoid the threat of a filibuster. It remains unclear whether the bill's sponsors can find 10 Republican votes in the chamber.
Rep. David Cicilline, Senator Jeff Merkley Introduce LGBT Protections Bill Equality Act
- By Carlos Santoscoy February 19, 2021
Democrats on Thursday announced the introduction of the Equality Act.
The Equality Act seeks to add protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to existing civil rights laws in key areas such as employment, credit, housing, federally-funded programs, and public accommodations. It also prohibits the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to enable anti-LGBT discrimination.
Rhode Island Representative David Cicilline, who is openly gay, and Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley sponsored the legislation.
“In 2021, every American should be treated with respect and dignity,” Cicilline said in a statement. “Yet, in most states, LGBTQ people can be discriminated against because of who they are, or who they love. It is past time for that to change.”
“I'm proud to introduce the Equality Act today, and I look forward to continue to work with Senator Merkley to get this bill signed into law,” he added.
“All of us go to work and school, go home, and go shopping, and none of us should have to keep our families hidden or pretend to be someone we're not to do those things,” Merkley said. “But in 29 states, Americans can still be evicted, be thrown out of a restaurant, or be denied a loan because of who they are or whom they love. We all love the vision of America as a land of freedom and equality, but are we willing to take the steps to make that vision closer to reality?”
“Let's make 2021 the year the Equality Act crosses the finish line and is signed into law by President Biden,” he added.
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