by Joe Siegel

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has released its annual State Equality Index, a comprehensive report that provides a review of statewide laws and policies that affect LGBTQ people and their families.

In 2024, 296 pro-equality bills were introduced in state legislatures around the country, and 37 were signed into law.

“Of the 489 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in 2024, over 60 percent —  more than 300 bills — focused on youth and education,” according to the report.

“These bills took specific aim at transgender and nonbinary youth by excluding transgender athletes in school sports, restricting transgender youth from using school facilities consistent with their gender identity, intentionally misgendering students, and requiring other adults to forcibly out students to their parents regardless of their health and safety. … Anti-equality legislators also introduced bills that restricted inclusion of LGBTQ+ topics in schools and targeted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. While most of these bills were defeated, 24 anti-equality bills focused on youth and education became law, accounting for over half of all enacted legislation this year.”

“The 2025 State Equality Index comes at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, demonstrating the value of leadership that protects LGBTQ+ communities,” said HRC president Kelley Robinson. “The evidence is undeniable — states advancing equality are seeing stronger economies, attracting top talent, and building more vibrant communities. … Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Act shows us what’s possible when communities choose progress — real protections that strengthen families and expand opportunities for all. The roadmap is clear, and the results speak for themselves: when states protect every resident’s dignity and potential, everyone thrives.”

The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act advanced the state’s efforts to eliminate discrimination in employment, education, housing, public service, real estate transactions, and the use of public accommodations.

HRC placed Ohio, for example, in the “High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality” category.

Ken Schneck, editor of The Buckeye Flame, based in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, noted in a story published last November: “In the wake of a national election where Republicans spent millions of dollars to amplify advertisements that demonized the trans community, Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community has been subjected to an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislative action closer to home.”

Texas was placed in the same category.

Tammye Nash, managing editor of the Dallas Voice, reported last October: “The Odessa City Council has reignited the infamous Texas Bathroom Wars with an October 22 vote to ban transgender people from using appropriate restrooms based on their gender identity.”

In an unprecedented effort to bring equality to Texas, HRC launched Project One America, a comprehensive campaign to dramatically expand LGBTQ+ equality in the South through permanent campaigns in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas.

The Los Angeles Blade reported on the City of West Hollywood receiving the highest score of 100 on HRC’s Municipal Equality Index for 2024.

The Blade noted: “In addition to the score of 100, the city received flex score points in recognition of specific services such as those for LGBTQ+ youth, seniors and people lacking basic needs. Available services for people living with HIV/AIDS jumped to 134 cities nationwide, 83 cities for LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness, 78 cities with services for LGBTQ+ older adults, 163 cities with services for LGBTQ+ youth and 97 cities with services for transgender and transsexual people.”

Other cities which received a score of 100 included Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, San Diego, Detroit, and Boulder, Colorado.

For more information on HRC’s State Equality Index, go to https://www.hrc.org/resources/state-equality-index

IN THE NEWS
Volume 27
Issue 1