LGBTQ Policy Landscape
Equality Maps Reflections: A Resource for Relocation, Travel, and More
As societal divisions continue to expand across the country, some states have taken significant steps to improve their LGBTQ-related policies and protections, while others have aggressively pursued discrimination and outright bans on medical care, identity documents and more. This landscape of opposing policy trends has made questions like ‘where to live’ and ‘where to work’ more challenging than ever before for LGBTQ people. Understanding what laws may restrict access to healthcare, public facilities, or identity documents, as well as knowing what protections exist in specific states is critical for those responsible for making both personal and professional decisions in everyday life.
The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) offers real time tracking of over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies which are used to determine policy tally scores for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five populated U.S. territories.
These measures offer valuable insight into how policies shape LGBTQ people’s lives, experiences, and equality. Research from the Williams Institute examining the broader sociopolitical climate and its impact on transgender people’s desire to relocate, in addition to anecdotes from Arizona residents seeking to move provide examples of reasons to migrate and the barriers people encounter when making these difficult decisions. In addition, a growing body of research links LGBTQ-related policies to the health outcomes of LGBTQ+ people, further amplifying the need for expansive federal, state and local policies.
While our tallies are frequently used by policy makers, advocates, and journalists, more and more of MAP’s work is being used to inform many people’s personal decision making as well. From individuals and families fleeing discrimination or unsafe living conditions to folks choosing their next job or which college to attend, MAP is seeing our Equality Maps referenced as a key resource for LGBTQ people looking to relocate or make other personal decisions.
It’s important to note that tally scores do not necessarily reflect the entire political or social climate for LGBTQ people in a given state. However, they are an excellent measure of the current policy landscape across a wide range of issues and offer valuable insight for people making decisions such as:
- Family Relocation
- Post-Secondary Education
- Accepting a job at a company based out-of-state
- Planning a conference or corporate meeting
- Selecting a travel destination
- Deciding where to marry
The following testimonials offer a glimpse into how our maps are helping people across the country make critical decisions.
A Cross-Country Move
AJ, a young transgender nonbinary adult who had spent their entire life in Wyoming, shared their experience of being out from a young age in what they defined as “the reddest state.” Although it was always challenging to be trans in such a conservative community, by 2022 the level of harassment and lack of safety, spurred by the hateful rhetoric of the Trump campaign, became overwhelming. A mechanical engineer by trade, AJ could no longer secure employment and became consumed with visions of death and violence.
“I knew I had to get out of here.”
AJ was familiar with MAP’s Equality Maps from a class project and began using our policy tracking data to help determine where to relocate. Narrowing it down to Rhode Island, New York, or Massachusetts, they made the courageous decision to move across country to Rhode Island, thanks to the state’s high policy tally score, employment opportunities, and more rural feel. Today, AJ uses our Equality Maps as a screening tool to prepare for work travel.
“For people like me, having the information about what exists across the country helps us make decisions about our lives.”
A Company’s Commitment to Inclusivity
MAP has also heard from leaders at companies and organizations who use our maps to make decisions about where to operate and where to expand. The following example details how Agiloft’s CEO relocated a company-wide event based on our Equality Maps state rankings, in order to ensure the safety and comfortability of each team member in attendance.
A Travel Planning Trend
We were also recently surprised to see our Equality Maps endorsed by a travel writer, encouraging their readers to always check our website for updates before making travel plans. They were happy to spread the word about why our maps continue to be a trusted resource.
“I’ve been writing about LGBTQ+ travel since 2018, and one of the most common questions I get is whether a place is safe to visit. I always share my perspective based on firsthand experience, then point people to MAP’s Equality Maps for a deeper understanding of statewide trends or issues that impact them personally. The LGBTQ+ rights landscape is changing so quickly, and it’s hard to stay informed. These maps are an essential tool for travel planning, spotting broader trends, and assessing how laws, policies, or public attitudes in a state might impact my readers.”
Lindsey Danis, author of the forthcoming book, (Out) On the Road: How Queer Travel is Different and Why it Matters.
The impact these laws and policies have on our well-being should not be understated, and as the creation of drastically different policy environments continues across the country, MAP will maintain our commitment to providing real-time, accurate map updates and trusted resources.
Additional Resources for Relocation
For those looking to relocate, see below for a listing of information that may be helpful:
- The Trans Continental Pipeline
- Campaign for Southern Equality’s Trans Youth Emergency Project
- “Trans Relocation Guide” by Translash
- Zillow’s LGBT fair housing data on real estate listings
