LGBTQ Equality Program
Recent research by Gallup finds that 9.3% of adults in the United States identify as LGBTQ. Applying these figures to the total number of adults in the U.S., this suggests that there are over 24 million LGBTQ adults nationwide. LGBTQ people in the United States have families, work hard to earn a living, and serve their communities and their country. In turn, they deserve a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life.
MAP’s LGBTQ Equality Program analyzes more than 50 different LGBTQ laws and policies that directly impact the lived experiences of LGBTQ people and families. Use the buttons below to view specific program areas or scroll down to explore our LGBTQ Equality Maps and additional program offerings.
LGBTQ Equality Maps
Tracking more than 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies, the LGBTQ Equality Maps provide a comprehensive state-by-state comparison of the policy landscape and gaps in protections for LGBTQ people across the country. MAP updates the LGBTQ Equality Maps in real time as legislatures across the country pass laws that shape LGBTQ people’s lives, experiences, and equality.
This map shows the overall policy scores (as distinct from sexual orientation or gender identity scores) for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five populated U.S. territories. A state’s policy score accounts for more than 50 laws and policies within each state that impact the lives of LGBTQ people. Click on your state to view its LGBTQ Equality Profile, which includes our detailed policy score. To explore other states or issue areas, use the buttons below. For additional information, click the policy score FAQ button below.
The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) tracks over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies. This map shows the sexual orientation policy scores for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five populated U.S. territories. A state’s policy score accounts for more than 50 laws and policies within each state that impact the lives of LGBTQ people. The major categories of laws covered by the policy score include: Relationship & Parental Recognition, Nondiscrimination, Religious Exemptions, LGBTQ Youth, Health Care, Criminal Justice, and Identity Documents.
Click on any state to view its detailed policy score and state profile, or click “Choose an Issue” above to view maps on over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies.
The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) tracks over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies. This map shows the gender identity policy scores for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five populated U.S. territories. A state’s policy score accounts for more than 50 laws and policies within each state that impact the lives of LGBTQ people. The major categories of laws covered by the policy score include: Relationship & Parental Recognition, Nondiscrimination, Religious Exemptions, LGBTQ Youth, Health Care, Criminal Justice, and Identity Documents.
Click on any state to view its detailed policy score and state profile, or click “Choose an Issue” above to view maps on over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies.
| State |
Relationship and Parental Recognition
|
Non–Discrimination
|
Religious Exemption Laws
|
LGBT Youth
|
Healthcare
|
Criminal Justice
|
Identity Documents
|
Sexual Orientation Policy Score |
Gender Identity Policy Score |
Overall Score |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | SO | 1/7 | 0/4.5 | -2/-3.5 | -1/5 | 0/3.5 | 0/3 | -- | -2 | -8.5 | -10.5 |
| GI | 0/1 | -1.5/4.5 | -2/-2.5 | -3.5/5 | -1/8.5 | 0/3 | -0.5/4 | ||||
| Alaska | SO | 1/7 | 1.75/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 0.25/5 | 0.5/3.5 | 0.75/3 | -- | 4.25 | 4 | 8.25 |
| GI | 0/1 | 1.75/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | -0.5/5 | 1.5/8.5 | -0.25/3 | 1.5/4 | ||||
| American Samoa | SO | 1/7 | 0/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 0/5 | 0/3.5 | 0/3 | -- | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| GI | 0/1 | 0/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 0/5 | 0/8.5 | 0/3 | -1/4 | ||||
| Arizona | SO | 2/7 | 2.75/4.5 | -1.5/-3.5 | 0.75/5 | 0.5/3.5 | 2/3 | -- | 6.5 | 2.25 | 8.75 |
| GI | 1/1 | 2.75/4.5 | -1.5/-2.5 | -0.25/5 | -0.75/8.5 | 0/3 | 1/4 | ||||
| Arkansas | SO | 1/7 | -1/4.5 | -3.5/-3.5 | -0.5/5 | 1/3.5 | -1/3 | -- | -4 | -10.25 | -14.25 |
| GI | 0/1 | -2/4.5 | -2.5/-2.5 | -2.75/5 | -1.5/8.5 | -1/3 | -0.5/4 | ||||
| California | SO | 7/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 5/5 | 2.5/3.5 | 2.75/3 | -- | 21.75 | 23.25 | 45 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 5/5 | 6/8.5 | 2.75/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| Colorado | SO | 7/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 5/5 | 3/3.5 | 2.75/3 | -- | 22.25 | 23.25 | 45.5 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 5/5 | 6/8.5 | 2.75/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| Connecticut | SO | 6/7 | 4.5/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 4.5/5 | 2.25/3.5 | 2/3 | -- | 18.75 | 22 | 40.75 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | 4.5/5 | 6.75/8.5 | 2/3 | 3.75/4 | ||||
| Delaware | SO | 3.75/7 | 3.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 2.5/5 | 2.75/3.5 | 1.5/3 | -- | 14 | 17 | 31 |
| GI | 1/1 | 3.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 2/5 | 6.5/8.5 | 1.5/3 | 2.5/4 | ||||
| District of Columbia | SO | 5/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 4/5 | 3/3.5 | 2/3 | -- | 18.5 | 22.25 | 40.75 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 4/5 | 7/8.5 | 2/3 | 3.75/4 | ||||
| Florida | SO | 1/7 | 2.75/4.5 | -1.5/-3.5 | -0.5/5 | 0.5/3.5 | 0.5/3 | -- | 2.75 | -5.75 | -3 |
| GI | 0/1 | 1.75/4.5 | -1.5/-2.5 | -2.5/5 | -2/8.5 | -0.5/3 | -1/4 | ||||
| Georgia | SO | 1/7 | 0/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 0/5 | 0.5/3.5 | 0.5/3 | -- | 1.5 | -2.25 | -0.75 |
| GI | 0/1 | 0/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | -1/5 | 1.25/8.5 | 0.5/3 | -2.5/4 | ||||
| Guam | SO | 1.75/7 | 1.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 1/5 | 0.5/3.5 | 0.75/3 | -- | 5.5 | -0.75 | 4.75 |
| GI | 0/1 | 1.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 0/5 | 0.5/8.5 | -0.25/3 | -2.5/4 | ||||
| Hawaii | SO | 4.5/7 | 3.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 3.5/5 | 1.5/3.5 | 3/3 | -- | 16 | 17.25 | 33.25 |
| GI | 1/1 | 3.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 3.5/5 | 4/8.5 | 3/3 | 2.25/4 | ||||
| Idaho | SO | 2/7 | 0.75/4.5 | -2.5/-3.5 | -1/5 | 0/3.5 | 0.5/3 | -- | -0.25 | -12.75 | -13 |
| GI | 0/1 | -1.25/4.5 | -2.5/-2.5 | -3.25/5 | -2.5/8.5 | -0.5/3 | -2.75/4 | ||||
| Illinois | SO | 7/7 | 4.5/4.5 | -1.5/-3.5 | 5/5 | 3.5/3.5 | 3/3 | -- | 21.5 | 23.5 | 45 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | -1.5/-2.5 | 5/5 | 7.5/8.5 | 3/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| Indiana | SO | 3/7 | 1.25/4.5 | -1.5/-3.5 | -1/5 | 1/3.5 | -1/3 | -- | 1.75 | -8 | -6.25 |
| GI | 0/1 | 0.5/4.5 | -1.5/-2.5 | -3/5 | 0/8.5 | -1/3 | -3/4 | ||||
| Iowa | SO | 2/7 | 4.5/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 1/5 | 1/3.5 | 0.5/3 | -- | 8.5 | -8 | 0.5 |
| GI | 1/1 | -2/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | -3/5 | -1/8.5 | -0.5/3 | -2/4 | ||||
| Kansas | SO | 1/7 | 2.75/4.5 | -1.5/-3.5 | 0/5 | 1/3.5 | 1/3 | -- | 4.25 | -5.25 | -1 |
| GI | 0/1 | 0.75/4.5 | -1.5/-2.5 | -2/5 | -0.5/8.5 | 0/3 | -2/4 | ||||
| Kentucky | SO | 3/7 | 2.25/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 0.25/5 | 0.5/3.5 | 0.5/3 | -- | 6 | -0.25 | 5.75 |
| GI | 1/1 | 2.25/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | -1.75/5 | -0.5/8.5 | -0.5/3 | -0.25/4 | ||||
| Louisiana | SO | 1/7 | 0/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | -0.5/5 | 0.5/3.5 | 0/3 | -- | 0.5 | -7.25 | -6.75 |
| GI | 0/1 | -1.5/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | -3/5 | -0.75/8.5 | -1/3 | -0.5/4 | ||||
| Maine | SO | 7/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 4/5 | 2.5/3.5 | 3/3 | -- | 21 | 23.5 | 44.5 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 4/5 | 7/8.5 | 3/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| Maryland | SO | 5.75/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 4/5 | 2.75/3.5 | 3/3 | -- | 20 | 23 | 43 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 4/5 | 7.25/8.5 | 3/3 | 3.25/4 | ||||
| Massachusetts | SO | 6/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 4/5 | 1.75/3.5 | 2/3 | -- | 18.25 | 21.75 | 40 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 4/5 | 7.25/8.5 | 1/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| Michigan | SO | 4/7 | 3.5/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 3/5 | 2/3.5 | 1.5/3 | -- | 13.5 | 16.5 | 30 |
| GI | 1/1 | 3.5/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | 3/5 | 4/8.5 | 1.5/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| Minnesota | SO | 3/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 4/5 | 1.5/3.5 | 3/3 | -- | 16 | 20.75 | 36.75 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 4/5 | 5/8.5 | 3/3 | 3.25/4 | ||||
| Mississippi | SO | 2/7 | 0/4.5 | -3.5/-3.5 | 0.5/5 | 0.5/3.5 | -0.5/3 | -- | -1 | -6.5 | -7.5 |
| GI | 0/1 | -1.5/4.5 | -2.5/-2.5 | -1/5 | -2/8.5 | -0.5/3 | 1/4 | ||||
| Missouri | SO | 2/7 | 1/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 0/5 | 1/3.5 | 0.5/3 | -- | 4 | -5.5 | -1.5 |
| GI | 0/1 | 0.5/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | -2/5 | -1.5/8.5 | 0.5/3 | -2.5/4 | ||||
| Montana | SO | 3/7 | 0.5/4.5 | -1.5/-3.5 | 0/5 | 1/3.5 | -0.5/3 | -- | 2.5 | -6.25 | -3.75 |
| GI | 0/1 | -1.5/4.5 | -1.5/-2.5 | -3.25/5 | 3.25/8.5 | -1.5/3 | -1.75/4 | ||||
| Nebraska | SO | 1/7 | 2.25/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 0/5 | 0.5/3.5 | 0.5/3 | -- | 4.25 | -3 | 1.25 |
| GI | 0/1 | 1.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | -1/5 | -2/8.5 | -0.5/3 | -1/4 | ||||
| Nevada | SO | 7/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 5/5 | 2/3.5 | 3/3 | -- | 21.5 | 20.75 | 42.25 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 4.75/5 | 4.5/8.5 | 2/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| New Hampshire | SO | 5/7 | 3.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 3.5/5 | 2.25/3.5 | 2/3 | -- | 16.25 | 15.75 | 32 |
| GI | 1/1 | 3.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 2.5/5 | 4.25/8.5 | 3/3 | 1.5/4 | ||||
| New Jersey | SO | 5/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 5/5 | 2/3.5 | 2/3 | -- | 18.5 | 23.25 | 41.75 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 5/5 | 6.75/8.5 | 2/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| New Mexico | SO | 5/7 | 4.5/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 4/5 | 1/3.5 | 2/3 | -- | 16 | 20 | 36 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | 4/5 | 5/8.5 | 2/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| New York | SO | 6/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 4/5 | 3/3.5 | 3/3 | -- | 20.5 | 24 | 44.5 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 4/5 | 7.5/8.5 | 3/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| North Carolina | SO | 2/7 | 1/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 1.75/5 | 1/3.5 | -0.5/3 | -- | 4.75 | 1.5 | 6.25 |
| GI | 1/1 | 0/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 0.5/5 | 0/8.5 | -0.5/3 | 0.5/4 | ||||
| North Dakota | SO | 3/7 | 3.5/4.5 | -1.5/-3.5 | 2.5/5 | 1/3.5 | 0/3 | -- | 8.5 | 2 | 10.5 |
| GI | 1/1 | 2/4.5 | -1.5/-2.5 | 0/5 | 0.5/8.5 | 0/3 | 0/4 | ||||
| Northern Mariana Islands | SO | 1/7 | 0.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 1/5 | 0.5/3.5 | 1/3 | -- | 4 | -1.25 | 2.75 |
| GI | 0/1 | 0/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 0.5/5 | 0/8.5 | 0/3 | -1.75/4 | ||||
| Ohio | SO | 2/7 | 3.5/4.5 | -1/-3.5 | -0.25/5 | 1.5/3.5 | -1/3 | -- | 4.75 | -3 | 1.75 |
| GI | 1/1 | 2/4.5 | -1/-2.5 | -3.25/5 | -1.5/8.5 | -1/3 | 0.75/4 | ||||
| Oklahoma | SO | 2/7 | 0/4.5 | -1.5/-3.5 | 0.5/5 | 1/3.5 | -0.5/3 | -- | 1.5 | -7.25 | -5.75 |
| GI | 0/1 | -1.5/4.5 | -1.5/-2.5 | -1/5 | -0.75/8.5 | -0.5/3 | -2/4 | ||||
| Oregon | SO | 6/7 | 3.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 5/5 | 1/3.5 | 3/3 | -- | 18.5 | 21 | 39.5 |
| GI | 1/1 | 3.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 5/5 | 4.5/8.5 | 3/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | SO | 2/7 | 2.75/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 1.75/5 | 1/3.5 | -0.5/3 | -- | 6.5 | 10.25 | 16.75 |
| GI | 0/1 | 2.75/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | 1.75/5 | 4.5/8.5 | -0.5/3 | 2.25/4 | ||||
| Puerto Rico | SO | 2.25/7 | 1.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 3.25/5 | 1.5/3.5 | 1/3 | -- | 9.5 | 7.75 | 17.25 |
| GI | 0/1 | 0.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 2.25/5 | 1/8.5 | 1/3 | 3/4 | ||||
| Rhode Island | SO | 6.5/7 | 4.5/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 3.5/5 | 1.75/3.5 | 2/3 | -- | 17.75 | 20.25 | 38 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | 3.5/5 | 6.75/8.5 | 1/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| South Carolina | SO | 2/7 | 0/4.5 | -2.5/-3.5 | 0/5 | 0.5/3.5 | -0.5/3 | -- | -0.5 | -9.25 | -9.75 |
| GI | 0/1 | 0/4.5 | -2.5/-2.5 | -4/5 | -2.5/8.5 | -0.5/3 | 0.25/4 | ||||
| South Dakota | SO | 2/7 | 0/4.5 | -1.5/-3.5 | 0/5 | 0/3.5 | -1/3 | -- | -0.5 | -9 | -9.5 |
| GI | 1/1 | -2/4.5 | -1.5/-2.5 | -2/5 | -1.5/8.5 | -1/3 | -2/4 | ||||
| Tennessee | SO | 2.25/7 | -1/4.5 | -3/-3.5 | 0/5 | 0/3.5 | -1/3 | -- | -2.75 | -11.25 | -14 |
| GI | 1/1 | -2/4.5 | -2.5/-2.5 | -3/5 | -2.5/8.5 | -1.25/3 | -1/4 | ||||
| Texas | SO | 1/7 | 1.25/4.5 | -1.5/-3.5 | -1.5/5 | 1/3.5 | 1/3 | -- | 1.25 | -8 | -6.75 |
| GI | 0/1 | -0.75/4.5 | -1.5/-2.5 | -3/5 | -1.75/8.5 | 0/3 | -1/4 | ||||
| U.S. Virgin Islands | SO | 2/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 1.75/5 | 0/3.5 | 0.5/3 | -- | 8.75 | 6.25 | 15 |
| GI | 0/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 0.75/5 | 0/8.5 | 0.5/3 | 0.5/4 | ||||
| Utah | SO | 1/7 | 2.5/4.5 | -2/-3.5 | 3/5 | 2.25/3.5 | 0/3 | -- | 6.75 | 1.25 | 8 |
| GI | 0/1 | 0.5/4.5 | -2/-2.5 | 0.75/5 | 0.75/8.5 | 0/3 | 1.25/4 | ||||
| Vermont | SO | 6.5/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 4/5 | 2/3.5 | 2/3 | -- | 19 | 20.5 | 39.5 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 4/5 | 5/8.5 | 2/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| Virginia | SO | 3/7 | 4.5/4.5 | -1.5/-3.5 | 2.75/5 | 1/3.5 | 2/3 | -- | 11.75 | 12.25 | 24 |
| GI | 0/1 | 4.5/4.5 | -1.5/-2.5 | 0/5 | 4/8.5 | 2/3 | 3.25/4 | ||||
| Washington | SO | 5/7 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 5/5 | 1.5/3.5 | 2.5/3 | -- | 18.5 | 22 | 40.5 |
| GI | 1/1 | 4.5/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 5/5 | 5/8.5 | 2.5/3 | 4/4 | ||||
| West Virginia | SO | 2/7 | 0/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 0.5/5 | 1/3.5 | 0/3 | -- | 3 | -2.75 | 0.25 |
| GI | 1/1 | -1.5/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | -2.5/5 | 0.5/8.5 | 0/3 | 0.25/4 | ||||
| Wisconsin | SO | 2.25/7 | 3.5/4.5 | 0/-3.5 | 3/5 | 2/3.5 | 1.75/3 | -- | 12.5 | 5.75 | 18.25 |
| GI | 0/1 | 1/4.5 | 0/-2.5 | 1/5 | 4.5/8.5 | -0.25/3 | -0.5/4 | ||||
| Wyoming | SO | 2/7 | 0/4.5 | -0.5/-3.5 | 0/5 | 0/3.5 | 0/3 | -- | 1.5 | -7.75 | -6.25 |
| GI | 0/1 | -2/4.5 | -0.5/-2.5 | -3/5 | -1/8.5 | 0/3 | -1.25/4 |
LGBTQ Policy Analysis
For decades, LGBTQ people have continued to move toward acceptance and equality, but in recent years, opponents have launched a targeted campaign to undermine equality and ultimately erase LGBTQ people from public life.
MAP’s library of resources addresses the many aspects of LGBTQ people’s lives, coordinated anti-LGBTQ attacks, and the efforts of LGBTQ activists working to protect our freedoms. Use the buttons below to explore our resources by issue area or resource type.
Latest Research
In Their Own Words: Learning from LGBTQ Youth Experiences to Tell a New Story
LGBTQ Policy Spotlight: Laws Protecting LGBTQ Youth from Conversion “Therapy”
Reflecting Forward: Learnings From the 2025 Legislative Sessions
Ten Years After Obergefell, We’re Reminded of What Is Possible
LGBTQ Messaging Guides
The Talking About LGBTQ Issues messaging guide series is a set of research-based resources designed to help shape discussions with conflicted or undecided audiences—and help them better understand key issues for LGBTQ people. Use the link below to view more guides in our messaging guide library.
LGBTQI Movement Capacity
Understanding the overall strength, capacity and operations of the LGBTQ movement is critical for both organizations and funders alike. MAP’s ongoing analysis of the movement’s capacity provides the necessary information required to set goals and strategy, apply resources more effectively, and measure the success of the movement’s work. Use the buttons below to explore our movement capacity archive by year or report type.
Data Equity and Inclusion
Ensuring the collection and protection of data on sexual orientation and gender identity is critical in affirming the visibility, rights, and well-being of the people behind the numbers. MAP’s data equity and inclusion efforts work to support evidence-based policymaking and intersectional research that benefits LGBTQI communities.
