{"id":401189,"date":"2026-08-12T09:43:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T14:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=401189"},"modified":"2026-07-07T11:58:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T16:58:37","slug":"lgbtq-discrimination-laws-state-by-state-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/discrimination\/lgbtq-discrimination-laws-state-by-state-guide.html","title":{"rendered":"LGBTQ Discrimination Laws: State-by-State Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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LGBTQ Discrimination Laws: State-by-State Guide<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Federal discrimination laws do not explicitly include protections for sexual orientation<\/span> or gender expression<\/span>. Some federal laws<\/span>, such as Title VII, have been interpreted this type of discrimination as a form of discrimination based on sex. However, other areas such as education and fair housing laws<\/span> are less clear. As a result, many states have expanded their discrimination laws to include protection against LGBTQ discrimination.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Civil rights laws protect people from discrimination in everyday life, but the exact protections you have depend on federal law and the state you live in. In this article, we explain the legal foundation provided by the U.S. Constitution and federal laws, how states have expanded on these protections, and where those protections are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you believe your rights have been violated, a civil rights attorney<\/a> can help you understand your rights and what you can do to protect them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal Foundation: Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The equal protection clause<\/a> of the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to treat similarly situated individuals alike. This constitutional protection forms the basis for civil rights protections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal anti-discrimination laws prohibit adverse actions based on protected characteristics, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n