These are the 15 best states for LGBTQ+ people to live in
Based on laws surrounding marriage, family rights, health care, and education, here are the 15 best states for LGBTQ+ people. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Still, marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity are still guaranteed federally by U. 
Views on LGBTQ Rights in All 50 States
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. Recommended citation: Movement Advancement Project. Accessed [day of access].
Map Shows States with Most LGBTQ+ Equality
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. Each year for the last six, gay advocacy group Out Leadership has produced an index gauging the business climate for gay and transgender people state by state, mapping out where they can live and work with the least discrimination and hardship. 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. 
For gay and transgender people, these are the most (and least
State Equality Index The Human Rights Campaign State Equality Index (SEI) is a comprehensive state-by-state report that provides a review of statewide laws and policies that affect LGBTQ+ people and their families. The SEI rates all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. in six areas of law and assigns the states to one of four distinct categories. This growing polarization reflects a troubling national trend. The Northeast dominates the top rankings with six of the ten highest-rated states, while the Southeast claims six of the lowest-ranked states.
The States With the Most and Least LGBTQ Equality
As some states pass more discriminatory LGBTQ legislation at a rapid pace, here are 20 states with the highest scores for protecting LGBTQ rights, and nine states with the worst scores. Strong majorities of Americans — including most people of faith — support nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals, but overall support has declined. LGBTQ Americans are overrepresented among the youngest generations, Democrats, and liberals, while reflecting the geographic and racial diversity of the general population. Best States For Lgbtq Rights
The landscape of LGBTQ+ rights across America continues to show stark regional divides in , according to the seventh annual State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index released by Out Leadership. Massachusetts and New York have secured the top spots as the most welcoming states, tying for first place. . 
HRC
Attitudes toward LGBTQ policies As part of the American Values Atlas, PRRI has been asking questions to gauge Americans’ support for or opposition to three critical policies related to LGBTQ rights: (1) nondiscrimination laws, (2) service refusals, and (3) same-sex marriage. The nondiscrimination laws are worded as, “Laws that would protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. .
These are the best, worst states for LGBTQ equality, report finds
Most Rights The 14 states in green on the map (score of 8 or above) currently have a broad range of protections for LGBTQ people, having partial or full support for all ten of the categories. .