In a year when more than 20 states enacted anti-LGBTQ+ laws, advocates say 2025 also delivered pockets of meaningful progress and surprising defeats for dozens of hostile bills nationwide. California once again led the way. Governor Gavin Newsom signed six pro-LGBTQ+ bills, expanding confidentiality for gender-affirming care, sealing gender-transition court records for adults, strengthening paid family leave, opening adoption pathways for out-of-state queer couples, requiring colleges to share LGBTQ-specific crisis resources, and simplifying legal name and gender changes. He vetoed three others, including those mandating broader insurance coverage for hormones and HIV prevention drugs. Two anti-trans sports and restroom bills also died in committee.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed three measures, including the Kelly Loving Act, which classifies intentional deadnaming or misgendering as discrimination and eases gender-marker changes on IDs. Four anti-trans bills failed. Massachusetts strengthened its shield law protecting abortion and gender-affirming care, while all five anti-trans proposals stalled. And in conservative states, volume didn’t equal victory. Texas saw 97 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced, but all but five failed. Mississippi passed just two of 22. Virginia, Connecticut, Arizona, and Oregon saw every anti-LGBTQ+ bill die. Idaho passed seven harmful bills — but nine more were defeated. As advocates warn, many of these measures may return — but in 2025, resistance held firm.
