The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) tracks over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies.  This map shows the overall policy tallies (as distinct from sexual orientation or gender identity tallies) for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five populated U.S. territories. 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.  

Click on any state to view its detailed policy tally and state profile, or click "Choose an Issue" above to view maps on over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies. 
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
  • High Overall Policy Tally (15 states + D.C.)
  • Medium Overall Policy Tally (6 states)
  • Fair Overall Policy Tally (3 states, 2 territories)
  • Low Overall Policy Tally (11 states, 3 territories)
  • Negative Overall Policy Tally (15 states)
Note that these scores reflect only existing laws and policies. They do not reflect bills currently under consideration, nor the implementation of each state’s laws. The tally also does not reflect the social climate in a state, the efforts of advocates, and/or opportunities for future change. States with lower scores might shift rapidly with an influx of resources, and states with higher scores might backslide, or they might expand equality for LGBTQ people in ways that can provide models for other states. In other words, these scores are an excellent measure of the current LGBTQ policy landscape across a wide range of issues, but the scores do not necessarily reflect the entire political or social landscape for LGBTQ people.

Each of the over 50 LGBTQ-related laws and policies that MAP tracks earns a score (positive for protective, or negative for harmful). See a state's profile to see its detailed scores across all these policies. For each state, these individual policy scores are then added up to produce a summary tally score. This table shows how a state's tally score determines its categorization. 

Below are the current scoring thresholds. Each category reflects a percentage range of the total possible points. For example, earning 25-49.9% of the total points possible results in a "Fair" categorization. 

Category
Sexual Orientation Tally
Gender Identity Tally
OVERALL Tally
High
(75-100% of points possible)
17.25+
19.5+
36.75+
Medium
(50-74.9% OF POINTS POSSIBLE)
11.5 to 17
13 to 19.25
24.5 to 36.5
Fair
(25-49.9% of points possible)
5.75 to 11.25
6 to 12.75
12.25 to 24.25 
Low
(0-24.9% of points possible)
0 to 5.5
0 to 5.75
0 to 12
Negative
(<0 points)
<0
<0
<0
Total points possible
23
26
49

Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project. [Year of access]. "Equality Maps Snapshot: LGBTQ Equality By State." https://www.mapresearch.org/equality-maps/. Accessed [day of access].

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.

40%

40 % of the LGBTQ population lives in states with high overall policy tallies

8%

8 % of the LGBTQ population lives in states with medium overall policy tallies

7%

7 % of LGBTQ population lives in states with fair overall policy tallies

16%

16 % of LGBTQ population lives in states with low overall policy tallies

29%

29 % of LGBTQ population lives in states with negative overall policy tallies

The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) tracks over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies.  This map shows the sexual orientation policy tallies for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five populated U.S. territories. 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.  

Click on any state to view its detailed policy tally and state profile, or click "Choose an Issue" above to view maps on over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies. 
United States Map
  • High Sexual Orientation Policy Tally (13 states + D.C.)
  • Medium Sexual Orientation Policy Tally (9 states)
  • Fair Sexual Orientation Policy Tally (7 states, 2 territories)
  • Low Sexual Orientation Policy Tally (16 states, 3 territories)
  • Negative Sexual Orientation Policy Tally (5 states)
NOTE: This tally includes laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation. The term “sexual orientation” is loosely defined as a person’s pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction (or lack thereof) to people. Laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation primarily target, whether for protection or harm, lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. Transgender people can also be affected by laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation.


Sexual Orientation Tally
High
(75-100% of points possible)
17.25+
Medium
(50-74.9% of points possible)
11.5 to 17
Fair
(25-49.9% of points possible)
5.75 to 11.25
Low
(0-24.9% of points possible)
0 to 5.5
Negative
(<0 points)
<0
total points possible
23
Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project. [Year of access]. "Equality Maps: Snapshot: LGBTQ Equality By State." https://www.mapresearch.org/equality-maps/. Accessed [day of access].

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.

36%

36 % of the LGBTQ population lives in states with high sexual orientation policy tallies

14%

14 % of the LGBTQ population lives in states with medium sexual orientation policy tallies

14%

14 % of LGBTQ population lives in states with fair sexual orientation policy tallies

31%

31 % of LGBTQ population lives in states with low sexual orientation policy tallies

5%

5 % of LGBTQ population lives in states with negative sexual orientation policy tallies

The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) tracks over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies.  This map shows the gender identity policy tallies for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five populated U.S. territories. 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.  

Click on any state to view its detailed policy tally and state profile, or click "Choose an Issue" above to view maps on over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies. 
United States Map
  • High Gender Identity Policy Tally (15 states + D.C.)
  • Medium Gender Identity Policy Tally (6 states)
  • Fair Gender Identity Policy Tally (1 state, 1 territory)
  • Low Gender Identity Policy Tally (9 states, 1 territory)
  • Negative Gender Identity Policy Tally (19 states, 3 territories)
NOTE: This tally includes laws that explicitly address or impact gender identity and/or expression. “Gender identity” is a person’s deeply-felt inner sense of being male, female, or another gender(s). “Gender expression” refers to a person’s characteristics and behaviors such as appearance, dress, mannerisms, and speech patterns, all of which can be described as masculine, feminine, or something else. Gender identity and expression are independent of sexual orientation. Transgender people may identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or something else. Laws that explicitly mention “gender identity” or “gender identity and expression” primarily target, whether for protection or harm, transgender people. These laws also can apply to people who are not transgender, but whose sense of self or expression does not adhere to gender stereotypes.



Gender identity Tally
High
(75-100% of points possible)
19.5+
Medium
(50-74.9% of points possible)
13 to 19.25
Fair
(25-49.9% of points possible)
6 to 12.75
Low
(0-24.9% of points possible)
0 to 5.75
Negative
(<0 points)
<0
total points possible
26
Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project. [Year of access]. "Equality Maps: Snapshot: LGBTQ Equality By State." https://www.mapresearch.org/equality-maps/. Accessed [day of access].

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.

40%

40 % of the LGBTQ population lives in states with high gender identity policy tallies

8%

8 % of the LGBTQ population lives in states with medium gender identity policy tallies

4%

4 % of LGBTQ population lives in states with fair gender identity policy tallies

12%

12 % of LGBTQ population lives in states with low gender identity policy tallies

35%

35 % of LGBTQ population lives in states with negative gender identity policy tallies

Click here to print table
 State     
Relationship and
Parental Recognition
Non–Discrimination
Religious Exemption Laws
LGBT Youth
Healthcare
Criminal
Justice
Identity
Documents
1 Alabama SO 1/7 0/4.5 -2.5/-3.5 -1/5 0/3.5 0/3 -- -2.50 -7.75 -10.25
GI 0/1 -0.5/4.5 -2.5/-2.5 -4/5 -1/8.5 0/3 0.25/4
2 Alaska SO 1/7 1.75/4.5 0/-3.5 0.25/5 0.5/3.5 0.75/3 -- 4.25 4.25 8.50
GI 0/1 1.75/4.5 0/-2.5 -0.5/5 1.5/8.5 -0.25/3 1.75/4
3 American Samoa SO 1/7 0/4.5 0/-3.5 0/5 0/3.5 0/3 -- 1.00 -1.00 0.00
GI 0/1 0/4.5 0/-2.5 0/5 0/8.5 0/3 -1/4
4 Arizona SO 1.5/7 2.75/4.5 -1.5/-3.5 0.75/5 0.5/3.5 2/3 -- 6.00 -0.25 5.75
GI 0/1 2.75/4.5 -1.5/-2.5 -0.25/5 -0.75/8.5 0/3 -0.5/4
5 Arkansas SO 1/7 -1/4.5 -1.5/-3.5 -1/5 1.25/3.5 -1/3 -- -2.25 -8.25 -10.50
GI 0/1 -1/4.5 -1.5/-2.5 -3/5 -1.25/8.5 -1/3 -0.5/4
6 California SO 7/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 5/5 2.5/3.5 2.75/3 -- 21.75 23.25 45.00
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 5/5 6/8.5 2.75/3 4/4
7 Colorado SO 7/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 5/5 3/3.5 2.75/3 -- 22.25 23.25 45.50
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 5/5 6/8.5 2.75/3 4/4
8 Connecticut SO 6/7 4.5/4.5 -0.5/-3.5 4.5/5 2.25/3.5 2/3 -- 18.75 22.25 41.00
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 -0.5/-2.5 4.5/5 6.75/8.5 2/3 4/4
9 Delaware SO 3.75/7 3.5/4.5 0/-3.5 2.5/5 2.75/3.5 1.5/3 -- 14.00 16.50 30.50
GI 1/1 3.5/4.5 0/-2.5 2/5 5.75/8.5 1.5/3 2.75/4
10 District of Columbia SO 5/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 4/5 3/3.5 2/3 -- 18.50 22.50 41.00
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 4/5 7/8.5 2/3 4/4
11 Florida SO 1/7 2.75/4.5 -1.5/-3.5 -1/5 0.5/3.5 0.5/3 -- 2.25 -6.25 -4.00
GI 0/1 1.75/4.5 -1.5/-2.5 -3/5 -2/8.5 -0.5/3 -1/4
12 Georgia SO 1/7 0/4.5 0/-3.5 0/5 0.5/3.5 0.5/3 -- 2.00 -1.00 1.00
GI 0/1 0/4.5 0/-2.5 0/5 1/8.5 0.5/3 -2.5/4
13 Guam SO 1.75/7 1.5/4.5 0/-3.5 1/5 0.5/3.5 0.75/3 -- 5.50 -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
14 Hawaii SO 2.5/7 3.5/4.5 0/-3.5 3.5/5 1.75/3.5 3/3 -- 14.25 17.75 32.00
GI 1/1 3.5/4.5 0/-2.5 3.5/5 4.25/8.5 3/3 2.5/4
15 Idaho SO 2/7 0.75/4.5 -2.5/-3.5 1/5 0/3.5 0.5/3 -- 1.75 -7.50 -5.75
GI 0/1 -0.25/4.5 -2.5/-2.5 -2/5 -2.5/8.5 -0.5/3 0.25/4
16 Illinois SO 5/7 4.5/4.5 -1.5/-3.5 5/5 3.5/3.5 3/3 -- 19.50 22.50 42.00
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 -1.5/-2.5 5/5 7.5/8.5 3/3 3/4
17 Indiana SO 3/7 1.25/4.5 -0.5/-3.5 -1/5 1/3.5 -1/3 -- 2.75 -3.75 -1.00
GI 0/1 1.25/4.5 -0.5/-2.5 -3/5 0/8.5 -1/3 -0.5/4
18 Iowa SO 2/7 4.5/4.5 -0.5/-3.5 2/5 1/3.5 0.5/3 -- 9.50 3.00 12.50
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 -0.5/-2.5 -1/5 1/8.5 -0.5/3 -1.5/4
19 Kansas SO 1/7 2.75/4.5 -2/-3.5 0/5 1/3.5 1/3 -- 3.75 -1.75 2.00
GI 0/1 1.75/4.5 -1.5/-2.5 -1/5 1/8.5 0/3 -2/4
20 Kentucky SO 2.25/7 2.25/4.5 -0.5/-3.5 0.75/5 0.5/3.5 0.5/3 -- 5.75 0.00 5.75
GI 1/1 2.25/4.5 -0.5/-2.5 -1.25/5 -0.5/8.5 -0.5/3 -0.5/4
21 Louisiana SO 1/7 0/4.5 -0.5/-3.5 -0.5/5 0.5/3.5 0/3 -- 0.50 -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
22 Maine SO 7/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 4/5 2.5/3.5 3/3 -- 21.00 23.50 44.50
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 4/5 7/8.5 3/3 4/4
23 Maryland SO 5.75/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 4/5 2.75/3.5 2.5/3 -- 19.50 22.75 42.25
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 4/5 7.25/8.5 2.5/3 3.5/4
24 Massachusetts SO 6/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 4/5 1.75/3.5 2/3 -- 18.25 20.25 38.50
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 4/5 7.25/8.5 1/3 2.5/4
25 Michigan SO 4/7 3.5/4.5 -1/-3.5 3/5 2/3.5 0.5/3 -- 12.00 14.00 26.00
GI 1/1 3.5/4.5 -1/-2.5 3/5 4/8.5 0.5/3 3/4
26 Minnesota SO 3/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 4/5 1.5/3.5 3/3 -- 16.00 21.00 37.00
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 4/5 5/8.5 3/3 3.5/4
27 Mississippi SO 2/7 0/4.5 -3.5/-3.5 0.5/5 0.5/3.5 -0.5/3 -- -1.00 -6.00 -7.00
GI 0/1 -1.5/4.5 -2.5/-2.5 -1/5 -2/8.5 -0.5/3 1.5/4
28 Missouri SO 2/7 1/4.5 -0.5/-3.5 0/5 1/3.5 0.5/3 -- 4.00 -5.50 -1.50
GI 0/1 0.5/4.5 -0.5/-2.5 -2/5 -1.5/8.5 0.5/3 -2.5/4
29 Montana SO 3/7 0.5/4.5 -1.5/-3.5 0/5 1/3.5 -0.5/3 -- 2.50 -4.00 -1.50
GI 0/1 -0.5/4.5 -1.5/-2.5 -2/5 3.25/8.5 -1.5/3 -1.75/4
30 Nebraska SO 1/7 2.25/4.5 0/-3.5 0/5 0.5/3.5 0.5/3 -- 4.25 -2.25 2.00
GI 0/1 1.5/4.5 0/-2.5 0/5 -2/8.5 -0.5/3 -1.25/4
31 Nevada SO 6/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 5/5 2/3.5 3/3 -- 20.50 21.00 41.50
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 5/5 4.5/8.5 2/3 4/4
32 New Hampshire SO 5/7 3.5/4.5 0/-3.5 3/5 2.25/3.5 2/3 -- 15.75 15.00 30.75
GI 1/1 3.5/4.5 0/-2.5 2/5 4.75/8.5 3/3 0.75/4
33 New Jersey SO 5/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 5/5 2/3.5 2/3 -- 18.50 23.25 41.75
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 5/5 6.75/8.5 2/3 4/4
34 New Mexico SO 3/7 4.5/4.5 -0.5/-3.5 4/5 1/3.5 2/3 -- 14.00 19.00 33.00
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 -0.5/-2.5 4/5 4/8.5 2/3 4/4
35 New York SO 6/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 4/5 3/3.5 3/3 -- 20.50 24.00 44.50
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 4/5 7.5/8.5 3/3 4/4
36 North Carolina SO 2/7 1/4.5 -0.5/-3.5 1.75/5 1/3.5 -0.5/3 -- 4.75 2.00 6.75
GI 1/1 1/4.5 0/-2.5 -0.25/5 0/8.5 -0.5/3 0.75/4
37 North Dakota SO 3/7 3.5/4.5 -1.5/-3.5 2.5/5 1/3.5 -0.5/3 -- 8.00 0.75 8.75
GI 1/1 2/4.5 -1.5/-2.5 -0.5/5 0.5/8.5 -0.5/3 -0.25/4
38 Northern Mariana Islands SO 1/7 0.5/4.5 0/-3.5 1/5 0.5/3.5 1/3 -- 4.00 -0.75 3.25
GI 0/1 0/4.5 0/-2.5 0.5/5 0/8.5 0/3 -1.25/4
39 Ohio SO 2/7 3.5/4.5 -1/-3.5 1/5 1.5/3.5 -1/3 -- 6.00 2.25 8.25
GI 1/1 3.5/4.5 -1/-2.5 0/5 -1.5/8.5 -1/3 1.25/4
40 Oklahoma SO 2/7 0/4.5 -1.5/-3.5 0.5/5 1/3.5 -0.5/3 -- 1.50 -6.50 -5.00
GI 0/1 -1/4.5 -1.5/-2.5 -1/5 -0.75/8.5 -0.5/3 -1.75/4
41 Oregon SO 4/7 3.5/4.5 0/-3.5 5/5 1/3.5 3/3 -- 16.50 21.00 37.50
GI 1/1 3.5/4.5 0/-2.5 5/5 4.5/8.5 3/3 4/4
42 Pennsylvania SO 2/7 2.75/4.5 -0.5/-3.5 1.75/5 1/3.5 -0.5/3 -- 6.50 10.50 17.00
GI 0/1 2.75/4.5 -0.5/-2.5 1.75/5 4.5/8.5 -0.5/3 2.5/4
43 Puerto Rico SO 2.25/7 1.5/4.5 0/-3.5 3.25/5 1.5/3.5 1/3 -- 9.50 10.50 20.00
GI 0/1 1.5/4.5 0/-2.5 3.25/5 2/8.5 1/3 2.75/4
44 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 38.00
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 -0.5/-2.5 3.5/5 6.75/8.5 1/3 4/4
45 South Carolina SO 2/7 0/4.5 -2.5/-3.5 1/5 0.5/3.5 -0.5/3 -- 0.50 -8.25 -7.75
GI 0/1 0/4.5 -2.5/-2.5 -3/5 -2.5/8.5 -0.5/3 0.25/4
46 South Dakota SO 2/7 0/4.5 -1.5/-3.5 0/5 0/3.5 -1/3 -- -0.50 -5.00 -5.50
GI 1/1 0/4.5 -1.5/-2.5 -1/5 -1.5/8.5 -1/3 -1/4
47 Tennessee SO 2.25/7 -1/4.5 -3/-3.5 0/5 0/3.5 -1/3 -- -2.75 -11.25 -14.00
GI 1/1 -2/4.5 -2.5/-2.5 -3/5 -2.5/8.5 -1.25/3 -1/4
48 Texas SO 1/7 1.25/4.5 -1.5/-3.5 -0.5/5 1.25/3.5 1/3 -- 2.50 -3.75 -1.25
GI 0/1 1.25/4.5 -1.5/-2.5 -1/5 -1.5/8.5 0/3 -1/4
49 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 4.75 13.50
GI 0/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 0.75/5 0/8.5 0.5/3 -1/4
50 Utah SO 1/7 2.5/4.5 -1/-3.5 3/5 2.25/3.5 0/3 -- 7.75 1.75 9.50
GI 0/1 0.5/4.5 -1/-2.5 1/5 0.75/8.5 0/3 0.5/4
51 Vermont SO 5.5/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 4/5 2/3.5 2/3 -- 18.00 20.50 38.50
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 4/5 5/8.5 2/3 4/4
52 Virginia SO 3/7 4.5/4.5 -1.5/-3.5 3/5 1/3.5 2/3 -- 12.00 14.50 26.50
GI 0/1 4.5/4.5 -1.5/-2.5 2/5 4/8.5 2/3 3.5/4
53 Washington SO 4.75/7 4.5/4.5 0/-3.5 5/5 1.5/3.5 2.5/3 -- 18.25 22.00 40.25
GI 1/1 4.5/4.5 0/-2.5 5/5 5/8.5 2.5/3 4/4
54 West Virginia SO 2/7 0/4.5 -0.5/-3.5 1.5/5 1/3.5 0/3 -- 4.00 1.00 5.00
GI 1/1 0/4.5 -0.5/-2.5 0.5/5 -0.5/8.5 0/3 0.5/4
55 Wisconsin SO 2.25/7 3.5/4.5 0/-3.5 2.75/5 2/3.5 1.75/3 -- 12.25 5.50 17.75
GI 0/1 1/4.5 0/-2.5 0.75/5 4.5/8.5 -0.25/3 -0.5/4
56 Wyoming SO 2/7 0/4.5 0/-3.5 0/5 0/3.5 0/3 -- 2.00 -2.75 -0.75
GI 0/1 0/4.5 0/-2.5 -2/5 -1/8.5 0/3 0.25/4

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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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