The best and worst parts of the U.S. Being LGBTQ

The most friendly American cities (and the smallest) Queer can surprise you.


ForLGBTQIA + people, Choose a place to live is not about low tax rates and high schools. Those whose sexual orientation and gender identity differ from the majority looking for a place where they feel safe and sustained - where there are laws to protect them and where there are resources for them in case of need. That's why the human rights campaign (HRC), a LGBTQIA + advocacy group publishes an annualEQUALITY INDEX OF MUNICIPALITIES, which indicate how much every city in the United States is safe and inclusive for LGBTQIA + people.

For their research, the HRC examines the laws of each region of the local, the availability of the resources of the bizarre community, whether they work or not in coordination with the human rights campaign, as well as many other detailed criteria. . Then each city receives a score on a scale of 0 to 100 (0 being the least safe and included, and 100 being the safest). By using these ratings, we gathered the best and worst towns of people LGBTQAIA + (arranged here in alphabetical order).Note: The HRC has proposed bonus points for various factors; We chose to use each city's score before bonus points are allocated.

Better: Ann Arbor, Michigan

ann arbor michigan best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

Ann Arbor has a long history of supporting his LGBTQIA + community. In 1974, the city became the first of the country to elect an openly gay gay politician:Kathy Kozachenko, who served on his municipal council for two years. And in 1978, he became the first city of the state to adopt an order protecting people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, according toFreedom for all Americans(FFAA).

Today, one of the control centers of his LGBTQIA + community is theJim Toy Community Center, which serves LGBTQIA + people in Ann Arbor and the surroundings.

Better: Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Georgia best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

Nestled in the heart of the traditional South Conservative, Atlanta has become a safe space for members of the LGBTQIA + community. In 2000, the city adopted a local order which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; In 2013, he updated the law to provide the same protections for people from all kind identities, according toFFAA. These types of laws exist only in five municipalities in Georgia, FFAA reports.

With regard to advocacy and development,Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Works with local governments and city officials to ensure that LGBTQIA + people have as many opportunities as possible. Atlanta has a range of options and nightlife events LGBTQIA +, and in 2017,Lawyer Even the classified as the sixth extinguished city of America.

Better: Bloomington, Indiana

bloomington indiana best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

Bloomington is a liberal lean midwestern town of about 80,000 inhabitants. Since 1993, the City has had full legislation in place that protects its citizens LGBTQIA + discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, according toFFAA. In addition, Bloomington offers an impressive range ofEvents for the LGBTQIA + community, including severalPride festivals every year.

It's also at home of theKinsey Institute for Sex, Sex and Reproduction Research At Indiana University, which was launched byAlfred Kinsey, a pioneer of search on sex and sex.

Better: Cambridge, Massachusetts

cambridge massachusetts best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

About 4.8% of the Cambridge population identifies as LGBTQIA +, according to a2018 Galop Survey, which is higher than the national average of 4.5%. "The progressive city, often published with Boston, has a prosperous gay-et-lesbian commercial scene in which many belong to Boston's big business consultancy," wroteLawyer In 2016. "Attend a gay event at the Books of Porter Square or to book a room at the Clandon Clarendon Square Inn."

Better: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

cedar rapids iowa best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

A number of museums and cultural institutions have made Cedar's rapids, the second largest city in the state of Iowa, a cultural hub. It is also incredibly friendly to its citizens LGBTQIA +. The city has a variety of LGBTQA + centers, bars, clubs and non-profits. In addition to this, they created an LGBT link so that "a resource for the public to raise the concerns of the LGBT community and ensure that they are heard", according to thelocal government.

And spoiler Alert-Cedar Rapids is not the only city of Iowa to receive a perfect score from the HRC: Dubuque and Iowa City are also on this list.

Better: City Iowa, Iowa

iowa city, iowa best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

The city of Iowa has received a perfect score of the HRC for the fourth year in a row.Stefanie Bowers, Director of Iowa Equity and Coordinator of Human Rights, told theMonks register That the city actively try to support people LGBTQIA + as efficiently as possible. "We certainly appreciate the recognition of receiving a final score of 100", she says. "We are still working on improving our services and this annual revision helps us measure how we do and how we could do better."

Better: Long Beach, California

Long Beach, california best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

This city of Breezy Beach houses approximately 80,000 inhabitants LGBTQA +, according to theLong Beach City website. The city has LGBTQIA + non-profit organizations serviced, includingThe Long Beach Center (which provides group and youth therapy programs for members of the LGBTQA + community) andProgram C.a.r.e de Saint-Mary Medical Center (which offers services to people affected by HIV / AIDS). Annually, there is aLong proud of the beach Festival, which has been taking place since 1983. And Long Beach has also benefited from part of a state that has sexospecific identity and sexual orientation protections in terms of work and housing.

Better: Providence, Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

Since 2001, the state of Rhode Island has put in place anti-discrimination laws to protect members of the LGBTQIA + community. This progressivity is also visible on a level of the city. In 2016, the Cumberland School District, located in the Northern City of County Providence, became the first of the state to adopt an official policy protecting transgender students, according toFFAA.

Better: Salem, Massachusetts

lighthouse in salem massachusetts best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

The magic potions are not the only things that are preparing for Salem, Massachusetts. Since 2014, the small town of 44,000 people known for its witch tests - has maintained protections that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition, Salem has experienced an influx of LGBTQAIA + companies - opening of companies, includingRainbow weatherThe largest lgbtqia + publication of New England.

Better: San Diego, California

san diego waterfront california best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

Similar to Long Beach, San Diego enjoys protections that come part of a state that has gender identities and sexual orientation protections. "If you believe in diversity, if you want and expect equality, you can see that in San Diego", former board of San Diego and temporary mayorTodd Gloria RecountNBC San Diego In 2012. "San Diego has the welcome carpet for LGBT Americans, for all those who support. This brings people to our community. This helps us all."

Better: San Francisco, California

san francisco california best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

Not only does San Francisco have not only the highest population of LGBTQia + in the country (6.2% of its population, according to Gallop), but it also marked a perfect score in each category analyzed by the HRC. The city has a variety of LGBTQAI + centers and leaders that promote the safety and well-being of LGBTQIA + people.

Better: Tempe, Arizona

Tempe, arizona best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score: 100

Although the big cities of Arizona such as Phoenix and Tucson are also known to be respectful of LGBTQia + amicably, Tempeh was the only city of this state to get a perfect score from the HRC. The city of about 185,000 people offers a plethora of LGBTQIA + anticornial events, an annual AIDS promenade to convivial art and culture festivals.

In addition to maintaining a city order that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation, Tempe has increased its municipal health plan to cover specific benefits for employees and their dependents which aretransgender.

Worse: Cape Girardeau, Missouri

cape girardeau missouri best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

While other cities in the state of Missouri have adopted in-depth laws to combat discrimination, Cape Girardeau remains stuck in the past. However, there were some steps in the right direction. In 2019, the city held its first pride festival on May 4, according to the local stationKfvs12. "It means so much for me that there are so many people who support us outside and support our decision to be happy, no matter who we are with" residentBridgette Patterson said to the event.

Worse: CARY, North Carolina

cary north carolina best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

Just outside Raleigh is the city of Cary, North Carolina, which does not have LGBTQIA + resources or protections available for its LGBTQIA + citizens. The government of the state does not allow either. For example, in 2016, North Carolina adopted House Bill 2, a non-LGBTQIA + bill that repealed LGBTQIA Local + non-discrimination orders (such as the one from Charlotte) and forbids transgender persons in the 'State of use of bathrooms compatible with their sexual identity, according to theFFAA. Due to massive reaction and national indignation, Bill 2 House has been repealed in 2017.

Worse: Clemson, South Carolina

clemson south carolina best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

While some large cities in the state of South Carolina, such as Charleston, have adopted anti-discrimination orders that protect their LGBTQIA + populations, we can not say for Clemson, which houses Clemson University.

In recent years, LGBTQIA + students at the university have expressed their concerns about security, citing an incident in 2011 where a gay student was brutally beaten off campus, according toIndependent mail. Since then, the university has been slow to evolve and recently adopted aLGBTQ Committee.

Worse: Great Falls, Montana

Great Falls, Montana best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

Montana has not yet adopted anti-discrimination laws state scale to protect the LGBTQIA + community, according toFFAA. And since Great Falls has nothing itself, there was not much hope for its HRC score. first lgbtqia center of the city opened in 2015, according to theGreat Falls Tribune. "We want it to be a community-based space," said volunteerJULES SHINDEL. "Let's look at things with Great Falls needs and wants. »

Worse: Ketchikan, Alaska

ketchikan alaska best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

Similar to Montana, Alaska does not have state anti-discrimination law of the state, according toFFAA. In fact, in 2018, an anti-transgender law has been proposed (but not past) to anchorage that would have banned the trans people to use the bathroom that reflects their gender identity. In the rural communities of Alaska as Ketchikan, the LGBTQIA + community is rarely given something that is evident in the lack of LGBTQIA + resources in the city.

WorseLake Charles in Louisiana

lake charles louisiana best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

Lake Charles has no specific protections or resources in place for its inhabitants of LGBTQIA +.Justin Dewitt, A resident who grew up in the region, said that there has been minimal progress. "Things have turned around a lot in Louisiana," heKPLC News. "Less hate, less anti-LGBTQ, much more acceptance within the state. »

Worse: Laredo, Texas

Laredo, texas best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

At the end of 2018, a prescription from the city of Laredo to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity was unanimously filed, which means that it was essentially put on the back burner. The city does not have LGBT leadership, awareness or advocacy centers, according to theHuman rights campaign. He also fails to report his crimes motivated by hatred at the FBI.

"There is a support group for anything but LGBT here in LaRedo," residentNatalie Scott say itLado Times of the morning. "I think a lot of people do not come because there is no one for them. »

Worse: Monroe, Louisiana

monroe louisiana best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

In 2017, a transgender woman was brutally murdered in the small town of Monroe, Louisiana, according toMIC. Even worse, it has been misdepended in crime reports. Two years later, the city has no laws and no services or non-discrimination programs for LGBTQIA + people, according to the HRC index.

Worse: Moore, Oklahoma

moore, oklahoma best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

Similar to Louisiana, the state of Oklahoma offers no protection to its citizens LGBTQIA +. In 2016, 27 anti-LGBTQIA + projects were presented in the Oklahoma Senate-one of them was the bill of Senate 1619, which would have legalized discrimination against transgender children in state public schools. None of these bills adopted.

However, in 2018, discriminationadoption bill that allows the "private adoption agencies and financed by the State to refuse to place a child with a LGBTQ person by claiming a religious or moral exception" do it through, according toFFAA.

Worse: North Druid Hills, Georgia

north druid hills georgia best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
Wikimedia Commons / Thomson200

Municipal Equality Index Score:0

Despite the fact that North Druid Hills is a suburb of the local Atlanta city Lgbtqia + -Atlanta, this municipality of Georgia has always a long way to go. North Druid's HRC's most disturbing aspect of North Druid's HRC score is that it is gradually worse in recent years as government leaders who have already argued for LGBTQIA + rights have fallen silent.

Worse: Pierre, South Dakota

pierre south dakota best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

In early 2019, the state of South Dakota adopted the bill "Do not say Trans" - a state law that prohibited teachers K-7 to educate their students to be transgender and that experience implies, according to theWashington Blade.

Not surprisingly, an anti-lgbtqaia + feeling invaded almost all the cities of the state, especially in its stone capital. Although LGBTQIA + organizations as Pierre Pride exist, the HRC could not even give the city's partial credit for services and programs.

Worse: Springs rocks, Wyoming

aerial photograph Rock Springs, Wyoming, worst place to be LGBT
Aerial Archives / Alamy Photo

Municipal Equality Index Score:0

This small town of Wyoming, which has about 23,000 people of about 23,000, has received no bonus points or bonus points.

Rock Springs is only a few hours from Laramie, who was the site of the macabre murder ofMatthew Shepard, a first Gay open year at the University of Wyoming which was brutally beaten andleft behind After targeting his sexual orientation in 1999.

Worse: Southaven, Mississippi

mississippi river
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

In a state that hardly hard against the rights of LGBTQIA +, it is not surprising that a small town like Southhaven offers no resources or legislation to protect its bizarre population. Jackson, Mississippi, who scored 65 on the index, was the only municipality of Mississippi to mark above a 35.

Worse: Stillwater, Oklahoma

stillwater oklahoma best and worst places in the U.S. to be LGBTQ
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Municipal Equality Index Score:0

Just like in the city of Oklahoma de Moore, Stillwater, the House of Oklahoma State University, has hardly no resource to offer its LGBTQIA + population. The Tulsa Tulsa City of Tulsa ranked the highest in the state of the HRC index, marking a 65. and for more cities lists, checkFastest growing cities in America.

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