An American flag with the colors of the rainbow, also known as a USA Pride flag, is depicted in the provided image.
A comprehensive ranking of the most perilous states for LGBT+ individuals across America has been released.
Safe Home, a company specializing in home security and personal safety, conducted a study to determine the safety of LGBT+ residents in each US state. The research team utilized data from various reliable sources, such as the FBI, the UCLA School of Law, and the US Census, among others, to rank all states based on their safety measures for the LGBT+ community.
Safe Home compiled the list by analyzing data on the status of LGBT+ rights in different states. This includes factors such as the prevalence of hate crimes, support for queer families, safeguards for LGBT+ employees, and accessibility of public accommodations for the LGBT+ community.
According to research, a staggering 57% of US states lack comprehensive legal protection for LGBT+ individuals. Shockingly, North Dakota was found to be the most unsafe state, scoring a -78 out of 100.
LGBT+ individuals in North Dakota are currently facing a lack of public accommodation protections, leaving them vulnerable to discrimination. Moreover, there are no legal safeguards in place to protect employees from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, whether they work in the public or private sector. The current anti-bullying and adoption laws in the state fail to address the unique needs and experiences of the queer community.
Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota has recently endorsed House Bill 1503, a legislation that permits student groups in colleges and universities to refuse admission or discriminate against members of the LGBT+ community.
Researchers classified South Dakota, Kansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Montana as among the most hazardous states.
In terms of safety for LGBT+ individuals, both California and Vermont scored a flawless 100 points in the safety index score, making them the two safest states.
In California, both married and unmarried same-sex couples are allowed to undergo second parent adoption, and queer employees are safeguarded from discrimination in both public and private sectors. Meanwhile, Vermont offers extensive protection for the LGBTQ+ community in healthcare.
The state has taken significant steps towards promoting equal healthcare opportunities for the trans community. It boasts a dedicated youth clinic that caters to the needs of trans individuals and has put a ban on any form of discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in healthcare. Additionally, the state has taken a firm stance against trans exclusion in health insurance, ensuring that all individuals have access to the care they need without any unjustified barriers.
Even though California and Vermont have strong protections in place for their LGBT+ citizens, they still experienced a higher rate of hate crimes compared to the national average. This suggests that there is still much work to be done even in the states that are considered the safest for the LGBT+ community.
Maryland, Washington, Illinois, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island also secured their spots in the top 10 states.
According to researchers, there is a significant gap in the treatment of LGBT+ residents across US states. They highlight that this disparity highlights the need for improvement in all states, regardless of their current ranking, to ensure a safe living environment for all members of the community.
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