LGBTQ State Equality Ratings

The Equality Federation Institute & HRC released their 5th annual State Equality Index (SEI) which provides a comprehensive report detailing statewide laws & policies that affect our LGBTQ community by assessing how well states are protecting LGBTQ people & their families from discrimination. Because there are currently no comprehensive civil rights protections for LGBTQ people at the federal level the rights of millions of LGBTQ people & their families depend on which state they live in. In 30 states LGBTQ people remain at risk of being fired, evicted or denied services because of who they are. For this reason, the incoming pro-equality majority in the U.S. House of Representatives has made the Equality Act a bill to establish comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ people a top priority. Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation Institute stated, “The strength of the state-based LGBTQ movement is critical to elevate our representation, visibility & equality across the country. As we look to the next legislative session, the State Equality Index should serve as a recognition of how far we have come & how much we have yet to achieve.” Chad Griffin HRC President concluded, “The work of the HRC Foundation & programs like the State Equality Index, along with HRC's efforts day in & day out to advance protections for LGBTQ people at the state & federal level are vital to the struggle for LGBTQ civil rights. HRC & our partners on the ground defeated dozens of anti-LGBTQ bills last year & worked to pass crucial pro-equality measures that ensure LGBTQ Americans are protected wherever they live. Already, we see the promise of even more protections passing in 2019 -- with action taken in New York, Virginia, Kansas, Ohio, Michigan & Wisconsin.” (Graphic By Richard Emmanuel)
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