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Safe Schools Laws

Anti-bullying laws protect LGBTQ students from bullying by other students, teachers, and school staff on the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. This map shows state anti-bullying laws that explicitly enumerate sexual orientation and/or gender identity as protected characteristics, as well as states that explicitly ban schools from adding LGBTQ protections to their anti-bullying policies. In some states, school regulation or the statewide teacher code of conduct prohibits bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity; these states are only reflected on this map if these are the only available protections in the state.

Please note, other rights may exist or be recognized where you live; this map is not intended as legal advice or an indication of your rights.
United States Map
Washington New York U.S. Virgin Islands Puerto Rico Guam Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands American Samoa New Hampshire Vermont Virginia Pennsylvania New York Maine West Virginia Ohio Kentucky Indiana Michigan Illinois Wisconsin North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Georgia Florida Mississippi Missouri Arkansas Louisiana Iowa Minnesota Oklahoma Kansas Nebraska South Dakota North Dakota Texas 33 Colorado Wyoming Montana Idaho Arizona Utah Nevada Oregon California Hawaii Alaska Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut New Jersey Delaware Maryland Washington D.C. New Hampshire Vermont
  • Law prohibits bullying on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity(22 states + D.C.)
  • Law prohibits bullying on the basis of sexual orientation only (0 states, 2 territories)
  • School regulation or teacher code prohibits bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity (see note) (2 states, 2 territories)
  • No law protecting LGBTQ students (24 states, 1 territory)
  • Law prevents schools or districts from adding LGBTQ protections to anti-bullying policies (2 states)
  • Law prohibits bullying on the basis of association with someone with a listed characteristic (13 states + D.C.)

Citations & More Information
Note:  Utah and West Virginia's school regulations prohibit bullying based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. See also the "Citations & More Information" button beneath the map legend for more information on every state.

"Association with someone with a listed characteristic" means the law prohibits bullying a student based on their relationship to someone else with a listed characteristic. These laws protect students with, for example, LGBTQ friends or family members.

While some states, districts, and schools have non-enumerated anti-bullying laws or policies (policies which generally prohibit bullying, but do not list specific characteristics like race or sexual orientation upon which a student might be bullied), research by the GLSEN finds that such laws have no impact on rates of anti-LGBTQ bullying. Therefore, these laws are not included on this map.

For additional information about anti-bullying laws more generally, visit StopBullying.gov.

Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project. "Equality Maps: Safe Schools Laws." https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/safe_school_laws. Accessed 09/21/2023.
Trevor Lifeline - (866-488-7386) - You can call the Trevor Lifeline to connect with a trained volunteer counselor who is ready to listen. It’s free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Percent of Adult LGBTQ Population Covered by Laws

*Note: These percentages reflect estimates of the LGBTQ adult population living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Estimates of the LGBTQ adult population in the five inhabited U.S. territories are not available, and so cannot be reflected here.

51%

51 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that have laws prohibiting bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity

0%

0 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that have laws prohibiting bullying on the bases of sexual orientation only

1%

1 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that have school regulation or teacher codes prohibiting bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity (see note beneath map)

48%

48 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that have no law protecting LGBTQ students (including 2% who live in states prohibiting local protections)

2%

2 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that have anti-enumeration laws or regulations

School nondiscrimination laws protect LGBTQ students from discrimination in school, including being unfairly denied access to facilities, sports teams, or clubs on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This map shows state school nondiscrimination laws that explicitly include sexual orientation and/or gender identity as protected characteristics, as well as states that explicitly interpret existing bans against sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity. In some states, school regulation or teacher code of conduct prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. These states are only reflected on this map if these are the only available protection in the state.

See also our Equality Map of states that ban transgender students from using school bathrooms or facilities according to their gender identity.

United States Map
  • State has explicit guidance for the treatment and inclusion of transgender students (17 states , 2 territories + D.C.)
  • State law prohibits discrimination in schools on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity(20 states , 1 territory + D.C.)
  • State law prohibits discrimination in schools on the basis of sexual orientation only (1 state)
  • State explicitly interprets existing prohibition on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity (see note) (2 states, 1 territory)
  • School regulation or teacher code prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity (see note) (3 states, 1 territory)
  • No state law protecting LGBTQ students (24 states, 2 territories)
  • State law prevents schools or districts from adding LGBTQ protections to nondiscrimination policies (2 states)

Citations & More Information
*NOTES (and click "Citations & More Information" below the map legend for more information about every state): 
-In green-striped states, state agencies have explicitly stated they interpret existing protections against discrimination based on sex to include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Click the "Citations & More Information" button (below the map legend) for more detail for every state.
-Utah's regulations prohibit discrimination on the bases of both sexual orientation and gender identity.  In Delaware, Rhode Island, and Northern Mariana Islands, the regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation only.

Some states also prohibit discrimination on the basis of "association with someone with a listed characteristic" or a person's relationship to someone else with a listed characteristic. These laws protect students with, for example, LGBTQ friends or family members. Additional information on these protections is included in the "Citations & More Information" link beneath the map legend.

Please note, other rights may exist or be recognized where you live; this map is not intended as legal advice or an indication of your rights.

Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project. "Equality Maps: Safe Schools Laws." https://www.mapresearch.org/equality-maps/safe_school_laws. Accessed [day of access].
Trevor Lifeline - (866-488-7386) - You can call the Trevor Lifeline to connect with a trained volunteer counselor who is ready to listen. It’s free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Percent of Adult LGBTQ Population Covered by Laws

*Note: These percentages reflect estimates of the LGBTQ adult population living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Estimates of the LGBTQ adult population in the five inhabited U.S. territories are not available, and so cannot be reflected here.

51%

51 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that have laws prohibiting discrimination in schools on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity

2%

2 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that have laws prohibiting discrimination in schools on the basis of sexual orientation only

4%

4 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that explicitly interpret existing prohibition on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity

1%

1 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that have school regulations or teacher codes that prohibit that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity

42%

42 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that have no law protecting LGBTQ students from discrimination (including 2% who live in states prohibiting local protections)

2%

2 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that have anti-enumeration laws or regulations

Key
  • State has law that only covers sexual orientationLaw covers sexual orientation
  • State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identityLaw covers sexual orientation and gender identity/expression
  • Law covers association
  • Law prevents schools from adding LGBTQ protections
  • Law bans transgender students from using school facilities consistent with their gender identity
State Anti-bullying Nondiscrimination Year Passed
  Citations Citations
Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity 		2011
California
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Colorado
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Connecticut
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Delaware
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
District of Columbia
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity 		2001
Florida
Georgia 2011
Guam
State has law that only covers sexual orientation 		2011 (bullying)
Hawaii
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity 		2008
Idaho
Illinois
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Indiana
Iowa
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Maryland
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Massachusetts
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity 		1993(Nondiscrim Sexual Orientation)/2011(Nondiscrim Gender Identity)/2014 (Anti-bullying)
Michigan
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Minnesota
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity 		1993 (Non-Discrim)/2014 (Anti-Bullying)
Mississippi
Missouri State does not have this law State does not have this law
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
New Hampshire
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity 		2010
New Jersey
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
New Mexico
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
New York
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity 		2010
North Carolina
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity 		2009
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands 2002 (discrimination); 2011 (bullying)
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Rhode Island
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity 		2011
South Carolina
South Dakota State does not have this law State does not have this law
Tennessee
Texas
U.S. Virgin Islands
State has law that only covers sexual orientation 		2014 (bullying): 2017 (discrimination)
Utah
Vermont
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity 		2001(Sexual Orientation)/2007(Gender Identity/Expression)
Virginia
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
Washington
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity
State has law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity 		2002(Sexual Orientation)/2009(Gender Identity/Expression)
West Virginia
Wisconsin
State has law that only covers sexual orientation 		2001
Wyoming
Data current as of 09/18/2023
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Sexual Orientation Policy Tally

The term “sexual orientation” is loosely defined as a person’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or more than one sex or gender. Laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation primarily protect or harm lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. That said, transgender people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual can be affected by laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation.

Gender Identity Policy Tally

“Gender identity” is a person’s deeply-felt inner sense of being male, female, or something else or in-between. “Gender expression” refers to a person’s characteristics and behaviors such as appearance, dress, mannerisms and speech patterns that can be described as masculine, feminine, or something else. Gender identity and expression are independent of sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual. Laws that explicitly mention “gender identity” or “gender identity and expression” primarily protect or harm transgender people. These laws also can apply to people who are not transgender, but whose sense of gender or manner of dress does not adhere to gender stereotypes.

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