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The Reality Flag
Basic freedoms are missing in 29 states for LGBTQ+ Americans. Help Pass The Equality Act.
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HELP PASS THE EQUALITY ACT.
TEXT "EQUALITY ACT" to 472-472. *
Why Do We Need The Equality Act?
Seven years after marriage equality became a reality nationwide, over half of U.S. states could still deny LGBTQ+ Americans basic freedoms like the right to rent a home or the ability to receive public goods and services simply because of who they love or who they are. The Equality Act will change that, ensuring basic freedoms and protections for every American in every state.
This is America
Freedoms Missing For LGBTQ+ Americans
See the freedoms denied to fellow Americans in over half of the country.
Businesses like restaurants, hair salons, and rideshares could legally refuse service if you are LGBTQ+.
LGBTQ+ Americans could be evicted, denied home loans and turned away from rental properties just because of who they are.
LGBTQ+ Americans could be denied service by healthcare providers and pharmacies just because of who they are.
Maps
Education
Map Key
Address discrimination against students based on sexual orientation only
2 States
Address discrimination against students based on sexual orientation and gender identity
18 States & DC
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<iframe src="https://www.hrc.org/resources/state-maps/education-reality-flag?embed=1" width="760" height="700" frameBorder="0" seamless="seamless" scrolling="auto"></iframe>Increasingly, states are explicitly addressing discrimination against LGBTQ+ elementary and high school students. This map indicates state laws that prohibit discrimination against students in public education on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The states that explicitly address discrimination against LGBTQ+ students are shown.
*On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia that sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited under federal sex-based employment protections.
For more information on the Supreme Court of the United States' decision in the Bostock vs. Clayton County case, see What the Supreme Court Ruling in Bostock Means For State Legislative Efforts.
Updated January 19, 2022
Housing
Map Key
Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation only
1 State
Enforcement authorities are accepting complaints on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity because the state has adopted the Bostock rationale into state law*
8 States
Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
21 States & DC
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<iframe src="https://www.hrc.org/resources/state-maps/housing-reality-flag?embed=1" width="760" height="700" frameBorder="0" seamless="seamless" scrolling="auto"></iframe>*On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia that sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited under federal sex-based employment protections.
For more information on the Supreme Court of the United States' decision in the Bostock vs. Clayton County case, see What the Supreme Court Ruling in Bostock Means For State Legislative Efforts.
Updated January 19, 2022
Employment
Map Key
Prohibit discrimination against public employees based on sexual orientation only
Prohibit discrimination against public employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity
6 States
Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation only
1 State
Enforcement authorities are accepting complaints on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity because the state has adopted the Bostock rationale into state law*
9 States
Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
22 States & DC
Copy and paste this code into your website:
<iframe src="https://www.hrc.org/resources/state-maps/employment-reality-flag?embed=1" width="760" height="700" frameBorder="0" seamless="seamless" scrolling="auto"></iframe>The Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is currently accepting complaints of sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employment based on Title VII’s prohibition against sex discrimination.
*North Carolina's executive order enumerates sexual orientation and gender identity. However, this order has a bathroom carve out for transgender employees making the executive order not fully inclusive.
*On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia that sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited under federal sex-based employment protections.
For more information on the Supreme Court of the United States' decision in the Bostock vs. Clayton County case, see What the Supreme Court Ruling in Bostock Means For State Legislative Efforts.
Updated January 19, 2022, 2021
Real Stories from LGBTQ+ People
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Staci J.
Staci J. is a proud Navy veteran. But, a Minnesota doctor refused to treat her because she is a lesbian.
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Queen
Queen is an avid gardener and upstanding community member who paid rent on time. But, Queen’s North Carolina landlord told Queen to move out because Queen is transgender.
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Sara and Parker C.
Sara C. is a devoted woman of faith who cares deeply for her son, Parker. They live in Oklahoma, where a business could legally refuse him service because he is gay.
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Alabama Dad Testifies
Americans deserve the right to make life-saving health care choices for their families. That’s why we need the Equality Act.
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Trans Kids Need Our Support
The Equality Act would help young people like Adelyn, who is fighting for the right to be treated the same as any other kid.