If you're part of the LGBTQ+ community and you’ve recently moved to the U.S., you might notice that some places feel more welcoming than others. That’s because every state has its own rules, attitudes, and support systems when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, and because of this, LGBTQ+ protections and risks differ widely depending on where you live.
In some states, there are laws that protect LGBTQ+ people from being treated unfairly at school, work, or when trying to find a place to live. These places often have more inclusive communities, pride events, and resources like LGBTQ+ centers or support groups. But in other states, the laws might not be as protective, and they might even make things harder for LGBTQ+ youth.
It’s not just about laws, though. Local culture, politics, and what’s taught in schools can affect how safe and accepted you feel. Knowing which states are more supportive can help you find places and people that make you feel seen, respected, and safe.
In this article we’ll answer these questions:
- What shapes LGBTQ+ safety in different states?
- What states currently rank highest and lowest for LGBTQ+ safety?
- How can I stay safe and stay informed?
What shapes LGBTQ+ safety in different states?
When it comes to LGBTQ+ safety in the U.S., where you live can make a big difference. Many aspects of a state’s culture and society can influence how safe and supported LGBTQ+ youth feel.
Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
🏛 Local laws and political leadership:
Every U.S. state has their own government, and the laws that are in place and the people who make them have big effects on LGBTQ+ safety. In states where lawmakers support LGBTQ+ rights, you’ll often find laws that protect people from discrimination in schools, jobs, housing, and healthcare. These states may also allow gender-affirming care for trans youth, support inclusive education, and make it easier to change your name or gender marker on legal documents.
But in states where political leaders don’t support LGBTQ+ rights, things can be very different. Some states have passed laws that ban teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ topics in class, restrict access to gender-affirming care, or make it harder for trans people to update their IDs.
🏫 School environment:
In some states, schools are required to protect LGBTQ+ students from bullying and harassment. They might also teach about LGBTQ+ topics in health or history classes, which helps create a more inclusive environment. Some schools have clubs called Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), which are student-led groups where LGBTQ+ youth and allies can connect, support each other, and work to make their schools more welcoming. On the other hand, in states where LGBTQ+ topics are banned from being discussed in classrooms, or where teachers aren’t allowed to support LGBTQ+ students openly, school can feel isolating or even unsafe.
🏘️ Community support:
Some cities and towns have LGBTQ+ centers, pride events, and safe spaces where you can find support and meet others. In more rural or conservative areas, these might be harder to find.
- 📌 Note: For more info on LGBTQ+ resources in the U.S., check out our article on National resources.
⛪ Religious and cultural attitudes:
Even beyond laws and politics, the everyday culture around you plays a huge role in how safe and accepted LGBTQ+ youth feel. This includes how people in your community talk about LGBTQ+ issues, how religion and traditions influence attitudes, and what’s shown in local media.
In some places, people are generally more open-minded and supportive of LGBTQ+ youth. You might see pride flags in shop windows, inclusive messages at schools, or local events celebrating LGBTQ+ identities. In other areas, people may be less accepting, and being open about your identity could feel risky or uncomfortable.
Religion can be a big part of life in certain communities, and different faiths have different views on LGBTQ+ identities. Some religious groups are welcoming and affirming, while others may teach that being LGBTQ+ is wrong. Cultural traditions can also shape how families and communities respond to LGBTQ+ youth—sometimes with love and support, and other times with silence or rejection.
Finally, seeing LGBTQ+ people in local news, TV shows, social media, and even advertising can help you feel seen and validated. States and cities with more inclusive media often reflect more supportive attitudes in real life. On the other hand, if LGBTQ+ people are rarely shown or only shown in negative ways, it can make it harder to feel safe or accepted.
What states currently rank highest and lowest for LGBTQ+ safety?
Below we’ve shared a list with highest and lowest ranked states for LGBTQ+ safety in 2025. It’s important to keep in mind that these ranking can change, and that different organizations and website may use different criteria to rank the states.
We chose to use safehome.org for these rankings, because safehome.org combines data about state laws, hate crime reports, surveys from LGBTQ+ communities, and general info from the Human Rights Campaign (a national non-profit organization that works for the protection of LGBTQ+ rights). This mix of data helps them show not just what the law says, but how safe LGBTQ+ youth actually feel in each state.
📍 To see the full map of the U.S. with 2025 LGBTQ+ safety ranking for all states, click here. Note that safehome.org does not provide their website in Spanish. If you need help understanding the data for a specific state, please reach out to us!
️🌈 Top states for LGBTQ+ safety in 2025:
These states have strong protections, supportive communities, and fewer risks of discrimination or violence (they ranked an ‘A’ for safety on safehome.org):
- Rhode Island
- California
- Delaware
- Connecticut
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- Minnesota
- Virginia
- Maine
- Colorado
- New York
- New Mexico
🚫 States with the lowest LGBTQ+ safety scores in 2025:
These states have passed or proposed many anti-LGBTQ+ laws and have higher risks of discrimination (they ranked an ‘F’ for safety on safehome.org):
- Florida
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- Utah
- South Dakota
- Alabama
- Kansas
- Nebraska
- Georgia
- Oklahoma
- North Dakota
How can I stay safe and stay informed?
ℹ️ Knowing what’s happening in your state helps you make safer choices and advocate for yourself:
- Check out the Equality Maps from the Movement Advancement Project to see which states have protective or harmful laws for LGBTQ+ people. You can search by topic (like healthcare or school safety) and see how your state compares to other states.
- Note: This info varies slightly from the safehome.org ranking maps above because they only consider laws and policy. They do not include information about hate crimes, LGBTQ+ communities, etc.
- Note: Although the Movement Advancement project provides some resources in Spanish on their website, the maps are only in English. Get in touch with us if you need help understanding the map.
⚖️ Understanding your legal rights is key to protecting yourself from discrimination or mistreatment.
- Lambda Legal offers free legal help and information about LGBTQ+ rights in areas like school, healthcare, and immigration. Check out their website for more information about the protections that exist in your state.
- ACLU helps tracks laws and court cases affecting LGBTQ+ people. You can also contact them for legal support if your rights are violated.
🫱🏽🫲🏽 Connecting with others can help you feel less alone and more empowered.
- The U.S. has a lot of national hotlines and other organizations that provide support in times of crisis, access to mental health resources, and information on topics like coming out, gender identity, and more. Check out our list of National Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth and Allies here.
Sources
SafeHome. (June 24, 2025). 2025 LGBTQ+ State Safety Report Cards. https://www.safehome.org/data-lgbtq-state-safety-rankings/
FOLX. (March 12, 2025). Resources for this Moment: Navigating LGBTQ+ Rights and Safety in 2025. https://www.folxhealth.com/library/resources-for-this-moment-navigating-lgbtq-rights-safety-in-2025
Movement Advancement Project. (Accessed September 8, 2025). Snapshot: LGBTQ+ Equality By State. https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps