The straits are dire for LGBTQ+-identifying people in America — bad enough for the Human Rights Campaign to declare the first-ever national state of emergency in the organization's four-decade history.
According to the HRC, which is the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the country, there has been "an unprecedented and dangerous spike in anti-LGBTQ+ legislative assaults sweeping state houses this year."
"More than 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been signed into law this year alone, more than doubling last year’s number, which was previously the worst year on record," its website states.
The HRC categorized legislation from all 50 states and D.C. under 10 labels, two of which are considered "good" and eight of which are "bad."
Those labeled "bad" include:
- Gender-affirming care bans (15 states)
- Bathroom bans (9 states)
- Sports participation bans (20 states)
- LGBTQ+ erasure laws (4 states)
- "Don't Say LGBTQ+" laws (4 states)
- Pronoun refusing laws (8 states)
- Forced student outing laws (7 states)
- Anti-drag bans (1 state)
Laws labeled "good" include:
- Non-discrimination bills (24 states)
- Conversion therapy bans (21 states)
Florida boasts five "bad" laws, including its infamous "Don't Say Gay" legislation.
The state has become a hot bed of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment under the leadership of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who recently announced his bid for the presidency ahead of the 2024 election.
In tandem with Equality Florida, the HRC issued a travel advisory that "details risks associated with relocation or travel to the state," emphasizing "the devastating impacts of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ+ community."
Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, and North Dakota also feature five "bad" bills each, though the gender-affirming care bans in Alabama and Arizona are currently enjoined by a court and therefore not currently in effect, according to the HRC.
Tennessee, which infamously passed an anti-drag bill earlier this year that was recently overturned by a federal judge, has six "bad" laws, including that one.
Montana boasts the most "bad" legislation with seven laws in effect — the only one it doesn't feature is a "Don't Say LGBTQ+" bill.
In total, there are 491 anti-LGBTQ+ bills the American Civil Liberties Union has been tracking in the 2023 legislative session.
As a result of many of those laws, especially gender-affirming care bans, the parents of trans and non-binary kids are considering leaving their homes to move to states with more inclusive and accepting legislation, the HRC said.
The organization published an action guidebook in the wake of the legislation for those considering leaving and for those thinking of staying.
It outlines ways individuals can get involved in local politics and fight back against the harmful legislation and provides a checklist for those leaving their states.
The Anti-LGBTQ+ also comes amid spikes in attacks by extremist groups across the country, who have targeted LGBTQ+ events in recent years, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.
Last year, a gunman killed five people and injured several more at Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colorado, reported Colorado Newsline.
And in 2016, a shooting at the Pulse Night Club in Miami, Florida, killed nearly 50 people, according to NPR.
But the HRC is not backing down in its fight to eradicate anti-LGBTQ+ laws and sentiments in America.
"Our community is in danger, but we won't stop fighting back — not now, not ever," it said.
