Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders

Celebrating 30 years as New England's leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression.

Rights & Resources Anti-LGBT Discrimination

Anti-LGBT Discrimination

While New England has been a leader in the journey toward LGBT civil rights - having the laws is only half the battle. No legislation ever made discrimination disappear. GLAD's precedent-setting litigation is where the legal rubber meets the road -- changing laws, changing attitudes, and changing lives.

At a Glance

Fewer than a third of all U.S. states have laws protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and only a handful prohibit discrimination based on a person’s gender identity or expression. There are no federal protections for LGBT civil rights.

New England has been a leader in the journey toward LGBT civil rights. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont all have laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Non-discrimination laws in Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont also prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression.

Anti-LGBT Discrimination: Information for Your State

Specific laws can vary
greatly from state to state

For more information, please visit a state page:

GLAD's Work On Anti-LGBT Discrimination

From the Docket

Bedford and Breen v. New Hampshire Technical College System

Victory • 2007

The state of New Hampshire dropped its appeal in this case on… Read More

See GLAD's Full Case Docket »

Legislation

GLAD’s Mary Bonauto Testifies in Support of Maine Anti-Discrimination Regulations

April 02, 2007

GLAD Civil Rights Project Director Mary Bonauto today presented testimony in favor… Read More

See All Legislative News »

News

Spirit of Justice to Honor John Ward

October 07, 2008

GLAD founder John Ward made history in 1978. He was the first… Read More

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Publications

Share Your Story

Stories Matter

The more people know their LGBT and HIV+ family, friends, and neighbors, the more likely they are to support our rights and help us work toward full equality.Read More