Nationwide, political and fear-based rhetoric surrounding the LGBTQ+ community has seen a significant spike in recent years. SafeHome.org released their state-by-state report card ranking the safety for the LGBTQ+ community in each of the 50 states and DC. The report looks at federal hate crime stats from the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation introduced and/or passed in each state.
The Winners and the Losers
Only three states received an A+ grade: Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Delaware. On the flip-side, nine states were given an F grade. According to SafeHome.org’s grading system, South Dakota, Florida, and Wyoming are the most dangerous for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Ohio, Alabama, West Virginia, Arizona, Kentucky, and Mississippi round out the rest of the states with a failing grade.
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SafeHome surveyed 1000 LGBTQ+ individuals to determine what kind of laws would have the biggest impact on members of the community. They determined parenting freedoms, criminal justice rights, non-discrimination rights, youth protections, and health laws were the most likely to effect the LGBTQ+ community. They then compared this data with information gathered by the Human Rights Campaign and hate crime statistics tracked by the FBI.
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Nearly half of the states passed or attempted to pass anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in 2023. SafeHome started tracking LGBTQ+ safety in 2022. Their methods have evolved over the past three years to give a more accurate look at the overall safety of LGBTQ+ people living in the United States.
Safety in Numbers
Everyone deserves to feel safe at home, but that’s not a reality for many members of the LGBTQ+ community. SafeHome admits their report is meant to be a reference for people who have a choice in where they live. So, what about the people who don’t have that choice? Regardless of the reasons for staying in an unsafe state, it is important to come together and lift each other. Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies have a responsibility to stand together and demand change. Our humanity and survival depend on the brave voices pushing for equality.
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