Home Happening Out Television Network HRC Dire Warning There Are Two Americas For Queer People Based On...

HRC Dire Warning There Are Two Americas For Queer People Based On Your State

There is a stark divide between states on LGBTQ+ rights, as revealed in the Human Rights Campaign’s recently released State Equality Index. The report, conducted in partnership with the Equality Federation, assesses the LGBTQ+ rights records of all 50 states and the District of Columbia, unveiling a landscape shaped by differing policies and priorities. The index categorizes states into distinct tiers. Twenty states, along with D.C., are placed in the highest-rated category, termed “Working Toward Innovative Equality.” Five states fall into the next category, labeled “Solidifying Equality,” while two states are classified under “Building Equality.” Alarmingly, twenty-three states, including Florida, find themselves in the lowest-rated category, identified as “High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality.” Despite 2023 being the worst year on record for anti-LGBTQ+ state legislation, a few states made significant strides. Michigan, previously in the lowest category, moved up due to the passage of major LGBTQ+ rights bills. Arizona progressed from the lowest category to “Building Equality.” However, some states saw a regression, with Utah, Kentucky, and North Dakota moving down a category due to the enactment of homophobic and transphobic legislation. As we enter 2024, legislative sessions in 36 states have seen the introduction of 325 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, many targeting transgender individuals. Advocates are stressing the urgency for collective action against these discriminatory legislation, emphasizing the need for public engagement in shaping a more inclusive future.

Queer News Tonight

Exit mobile version