WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, in partnership with SAGE, released the 2025 Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI) — the only national benchmarking tool focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion in residential long-term care and senior housing communities. This year’s LEI marks a significant milestone: 274 communities from 33 states voluntarily participated in the survey. These 274 communities together consist of more than 29,000 residents and more than 18,000 staff. This year’s LEI saw a 37% increase from the previous survey, demonstrating growing commitment across the industry to foster inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ older adults, their friends and family, and staff. 

The hard work and dedication needed to ensure inclusive long-term care and senior housing communities pushes forward in a sobering political climate. Increased, baseless attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts — spearheaded by the Trump Administration — have resulted in a greater need to protect participating communities from being unfairly targeted. Therefore, the HRC Foundation and SAGE decided not to release individual scorecards in this year’s report.

Through its criteria, the LEI centers foundational policies that work to protect residents and staff from discrimination. An overwhelming 99% of participating communities reported having updated both resident and employee non-discrimination policies to include sexual orientation and gender identity — a dramatic leap forward from the 2021 report, where research found that only 18% and 36% respectively had this language. 

In addition to non-discrimination policies, many participating communities made progress across the LEI’s full criteria, including Resident Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, and Resident and Community Engagement. Notably, 27% of respondents earned a 'High Performer' or 'Leader' designation, going beyond baseline requirements to implement inclusive practices across the board. Read more about the LEI criteria here. 

Find more information and read the full report here. 

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its work, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. 

At SAGE, we envision a world where LGBTQ+ elders are valued, have limitless opportunities, and thrive. Since 1978, we have led the way in advocating for policies, services, and resources that empower LGBTQ+ elders to live openly and authentically. Our dedicated team members work nationally and globally to protect our rights, build health and longevity, and preserve the vibrancy of our community as we age. Each one of us has a place to create a bright and vibrant future for the LGBTQ+ community as each one of us lights the way for the next generation to follow.  Learn more at sageusa.org.