For the first time since Out Leadership began publishing the State LGBTQ Business Climate Index five years ago, the nation’s overall average score on LGBTQ equality has dropped.
The net negative rating for the country is largely due to over 500 anti-equality bills introduced at the state level this last year in almost every state.
“The State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index ranks each state and applies a numeric score out of 100 for how LGBTQ+ people experience living, working, building a family, and building a life in each state. We use data from our partners at the Williams Institute and LGBTMAP (Movement Advancement Project) as well as our own research to measure lived experience for LGBTQ+ people in each state,” explains Jane Barry-Moran, Managing Director, Research & Programs, Out Leadership.
Top 5 states for LGBTQ equality
1) New York – 93.67
2) Connecticut – 93.27
3) Massachusetts – 92.67
4) New Jersey – 90.00
5) Colorado – 88.67
Worst 5 states for LGBTQ equality, include:
46) South Dakota – 34.97
47) Tennessee – 34.40
48) Louisiana – 33.50
49) South Carolina – 32.50
50) Arkansas – 32.00
