LGBTQ workers, families and youth are facing hostility in more states amid wave of bills and policies, according to a new Out Leadership report.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed bills restricting gender-affirming surgery for minors ahead of Pride Month.For the second year in a row, there was an uptick in the number of states thatcommunity, according to a new report shared exclusively with USA TODAY.
The 2023 Out Leadership State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index, which looks at five areas including work environment and support for young people and families, provides state-by-state snapshots of LGBTQ equality at a time whenNew York was the most equitable state for the third year in a row, with a score of 93.67 out of 100 points, while Arkansas ranked the worst in regard to support for the LGBTQ+ community, with a score of 32 out of 100 points.
Overall, the average score across the U.S. ticked down for the first time in five years, coming in at 63.48out of 100 points. The shift reflects the wave of bills that have made itlimited protections for trans people, and censored discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity. More than 500 anti-LGBTQ pieces of legislation have been introduced in 46 states this year, according to the index.
"So many people have used the LGBT community as a wedge, as a way to create fear and drive an agenda,'' says Todd Sears, founder and CEO of Out Leadership, a platform focused on helping businesses drive LGBTQ+ equality."There are real human consequences and real economic consequences.''States that marginalize the LGBTQ+ community pay a price, the report says.
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