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Nondiscrimination Laws

Housing nondiscrimination laws protect LGBTQ people from being unfairly evicted, denied housing, or refused the ability to rent or buy housing on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This map shows state housing nondiscrimination laws that explicitly enumerate sexual orientation and/or gender identity as protected classes, as well as states that explicitly interpret existing sex protections to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity.  Additionally, in states without state protections, municipalities may provide local-level nondiscrimination protections. See our maps tracking local-level nondiscrimination ordinances here. 

Other rights may exist or be recognized where you live; this map is not intended as legal advice or an indication of your rights. If you have experienced discrimination, contact Lambda Legal's Help Desk or otherwise seek legal advice.
United States Map
Washington New York U.S. Virgin Islands Puerto Rico Guam Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands American Samoa New Hampshire Vermont Virginia Pennsylvania New York Maine West Virginia Ohio Kentucky Indiana Michigan Illinois Wisconsin North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Georgia Florida Mississippi Missouri Arkansas Louisiana Iowa Minnesota Oklahoma Kansas Nebraska South Dakota North Dakota Texas 33 Colorado Wyoming Montana Idaho Arizona Utah Nevada Oregon California Hawaii Alaska Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut New Jersey Delaware Maryland Washington D.C. New Hampshire Vermont
  • State law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (23 states , 1 territory + D.C.)
  • State explicitly interprets existing prohibition on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity (see note) (8 states)
  • State law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation only (1 state)
  • No explicit prohibitions for discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in state law (18 states, 4 territories)

Citations & More Information
*NOTE: In green stripe states, the state's nondiscrimination law does not explicitly enumerate sexual orientation or gender identity, but the state's civil/human rights commission has explicitly stated it interprets the state's existing protections against sex discrimination to include protections for both sexual orientation and gender identity. See the "Citations & More Information" button beneath the map legend for more detail for every state.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) currently interprets the Fair Housing Act's ban on sex-based discrimination to include discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination may be able to pursue claims through this avenue. However, local ordinances, state laws, federal court rulings, and more create a patchwork of nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people across the country.  Given this patchwork, individuals who have experienced discrimination should contact Lambda Legal's Help Desk or otherwise seek legal advice. This map is not intended as legal advice or an indication of your rights.

Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project. "Equality Maps: Housing Nondiscrimination Laws." https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/non_discrimination_laws/housing. Accessed 12/22/2024.

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.

53%

53 % of LGBTQ population lives in states prohibiting housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

19%

19 % of LGBTQ population lives in states explicitly interpreting existing prohibition on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity

2%

2 % of LGBTQ population lives in states prohibiting housing discrimination based on sexual orientation only

27%

27 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that do not prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity (including 2% of LGBTQ population living in states that preempt local nondiscrimination laws)

Public accommodation nondiscrimination laws protect LGBTQ people from being unfairly refused service, denied entry to, or otherwise discriminated against in public places based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Public accommodation laws generally cover anywhere someone is when they are not at home, work, or school, including retail stores, restaurants, parks, hotels, doctors’ offices, and banks. This map shows state public accommodation nondiscrimination laws that explicitly enumerate sexual orientation and/or gender identity as protected classes, as well as states that explicitly interpret existing sex protections to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Additionally, in states without state protections, municipalities may provide local-level nondiscrimination protections. See our map tracking local-level nondiscrimination ordinances here. 

Other rights may exist or be recognized where you live (see below); this map is not intended as legal advice or an indication of your rights. If you have experienced discrimination, contact Lambda Legal's Help Desk or otherwise seek legal advice.
United States Map
  • State law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (22 states , 1 territory + D.C.)
  • State explicitly interprets existing prohibition on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity (see note) (6 states)
  • State law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation only (1 state)
  • No explicit prohibitions for discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in state law (21 states, 4 territories)

Citations & More Information
NOTE: In green stripe states, the state's nondiscrimination law does not explicitly enumerate sexual orientation or gender identity, but the state's civil/human rights commission has explicitly stated it interprets the state's existing protections against sex discrimination to include protections for both sexual orientation and gender identity. See the "Citations & More Information" button beneath the map legend for more detail for every state.


Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project. "Equality Maps: Public Accommodations Nondiscrimination Laws." https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/non_discrimination_laws/public-accommodations. Accessed 12/22/2024.

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.

52%

52 % of LGBTQ population lives in states prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity

17%

17 % of LGBTQ population lives in states explicitly interpreting existing prohibition on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity

2%

2 % of LGBTQ population lives in states prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation only

29%

29 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that do not prohibit discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation or gender identity (including 2% of LGBTQ population living in states that preempt local nondiscrimination laws)

Credit and lending nondiscrimination laws protect people from being unfairly denied credit and lending services, such as opening a bank account, taking out a loan, and more. This map shows state credit and lending nondiscrimination laws that explicitly enumerate sexual orientation and/or gender identity as protected classes, as well as states that explicitly interpret existing sex protections in credit law to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Other rights may exist or be applicable where you live, including through broadly-defined public accommodations laws (see the State-by-State Statutes for additional information).

This map is not intended as legal advice or an indication of your rights. If you have experienced discrimination, contact Lambda Legal's Help Desk or otherwise seek legal advice. 
United States Map
  • State law explicitly prohibits discrimination in credit based on sexual orientation and gender identity (17 states , 1 territory + D.C.)
  • State explicitly interprets existing prohibition on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity (see note) (2 states)
  • State law explicitly prohibits discrimination in credit based on sexual orientation only (0 states)
  • No explicit prohibitions for discrimination in credit based on sexual orientation or gender identity (31 states, 4 territories)

Citations & More Information
NOTE: In green stripe states, the state's nondiscrimination law does not explicitly enumerate sexual orientation or gender identity, but the state's civil/human rights commission has explicitly stated it interprets the state's existing protections against sex discrimination to include protections for both sexual orientation and gender identity. See the "Citations & More Information" button beneath the map legend for more detail for every state.

Individuals who have experienced discrimination should contact Lambda Legal's Help Desk or otherwise seek legal advice. This map is not intended as legal advice or an indication of your rights.

Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project. "Equality Maps: Credit Nondiscrimination Laws." https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/non_discrimination_laws/credit. Accessed 12/22/2024.

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.

43%

43 % of LGBTQ population lives in states prohibiting credit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

4%

4 % of the LGBTQ population lives in states that explicitly interpret existing prohibition on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity

0%

0 % of LGBTQ population lives in states prohibiting credit discrimination based on sexual orientation only

53%

53 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that do not prohibit credit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity

Key
  • State has law that only covers sexual orientationLaw covers sexual orientation
  • State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identityLaw covers sexual orientation and gender identity/expression
State Employment Housing Public
Accommodations		 Credit State Employees
  Citations Citations Citations Citations Citations
Alabama
Alaska
State has law that only covers sexual orientation
American Samoa
Arizona
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Arkansas
California
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Colorado
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Connecticut
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Delaware
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
District of Columbia
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Florida
Georgia
Guam
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Hawaii
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Idaho
Illinois
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Indiana
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Iowa
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Kansas
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Kentucky
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Louisiana
Maine
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Maryland
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Massachusetts
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Michigan
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Minnesota
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Mississippi
Missouri
State has law that only covers sexual orientation
Montana
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Nebraska
Nevada
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
New Hampshire
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
New Jersey
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
New Mexico
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
New York
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
North Carolina
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
State has law that only covers sexual orientation
Ohio
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Oklahoma
Oregon
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Pennsylvania
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Puerto Rico
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Rhode Island
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
U.S. Virgin Islands
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Utah
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Vermont
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Virginia
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Washington
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
West Virginia
Wisconsin
State has law that only covers sexual orientation
State has law that only covers sexual orientation
State has law that only covers sexual orientation
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Wyoming
Data current as of 12/22/2024
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Sexual Orientation Policy Tally

The term “sexual orientation” is loosely defined as a person’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or more than one sex or gender. Laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation primarily protect or harm lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. That said, transgender people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual can be affected by laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation.

Gender Identity Policy Tally

“Gender identity” is a person’s deeply-felt inner sense of being male, female, or something else or in-between. “Gender expression” refers to a person’s characteristics and behaviors such as appearance, dress, mannerisms and speech patterns that can be described as masculine, feminine, or something else. Gender identity and expression are independent of sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual. Laws that explicitly mention “gender identity” or “gender identity and expression” primarily protect or harm transgender people. These laws also can apply to people who are not transgender, but whose sense of gender or manner of dress does not adhere to gender stereotypes.

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