Category: Vermont

The best states to live in for 2026: No. 1 has a six-year winning streak

Read more at CNBC. *Editors note– only some of these states are ranked as LGBTQ friendly, so please keep that in mind.

One of the many signs that the Covid pandemic is slipping further into the past is that companies are paying closer attention to the quality of life in locations where they are considering setting up shop. 

“Where are people moving? Where have they gone post-Covid?” said veteran site selection consultant Tom Stringer of Stringer Site Selection in New York. “It’s largely going to be an attractive place to live. You’re seeing corporate industry chasing people now rather than people chasing jobs.” 

So, it stands to reason that in their campaigns to lure business, states are increasingly touting their quality of life. As a result, CNBC is giving more weight to the Quality of Life category in this year’s America’s Top States for Business study. It is our annual ranking of every state’s business climate, now in its 20th year. Under this year’s methodology, the category makes up 11.6% of a state’s overall score, up from about ten percent last year.  

To score the states for quality of life, we use hard data on factors like crime rates, air quality and healthcare. We also consider the cost and availability of childcare, inclusiveness of state laws, and reproductive rights. Some states do not make the grade when it comes to providing a great place for residents to live and work. The following states are America’s best places to live this year. 

Nebraska 

SUTHERLAND, NEBRASKA - JULY 03: A rider competes in the saddle bronc event during the town's annual Independence Day holiday rodeo on July 03, 2026 in Sutherland, Nebraska. Communities across the United States are hosting events this weekend to celebrate Americas 250th birthday. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A rider competes in the saddle bronc event during the town’s annual Independence Day holiday rodeo on July 03, 2026 in Sutherland, Nebraska.

Scott Olson | Getty Images

Nebraska’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, in place since 2017 to combat the opioid epidemic, is one of the most extensive in the nation. It requires the reporting of every prescription in the state — not just controlled substances. Then-State Senator Sara Howard, who introduced the legislation, said at the time, “My goal is to make Nebraska one of the leading states in the nation in the fight against opioid addiction and abuse.” She succeeded. No state had fewer drug deaths per capita in 2023, according to the United Health Foundation, just 8.7 deaths per 100,000 people. It is one reason that the Cornhusker State is among America’s healthiest. It also helps that Nebraska has exceptionally clean air, according to data from the American Lung Association and First Street Foundation. 

2026 Quality of Life score: 184 out of 290 points (Top States grade: B) 

Strengths: Health, Air Quality 

Weaknesses: Reproductive Rights, Inclusiveness 

Massachusetts 

Man enjoys hilltop view in the Berkshires, New England in Fall.

Hilltop view in the Berkshires, New England in Fall.

Suefeldberg | Istock | Getty Images

Massachusetts is America’s healthiest state, in part because it has more primary care physicians per capita than any other state, according to the United Health Foundation. That may have something to do with the fact that no state has a smaller percentage of people without health insurance, which experts contend has everything to do with the historic healthcare reform championed by then-Gov. Mitt Romney 20 years ago. “Romneycare,” passed in 2006, mandated that every resident must have health insurance or pay a tax penalty, established a marketplace where they could buy insurance, and created subsidies to make it affordable. The United Health Foundation notes that as of last year, 53.4% of Bay State residents surveyed said their health was good or excellent — second only to Vermont. Massachusetts is also a leader in worker protections, mandating paid sick leave and protecting the right to organize.  

2026 Quality of Life score: 184 out of 290 points (Top States grade: B) 

Strengths: Health, Worker Protections, Inclusiveness, Reproductive Rights 

Weaknesses: Air Quality, Childcare 

North Dakota 

Fargo, North Dakota - August 12, 2014: View of the broadway street with the facade of the Fargo Theatre, in the city of Fargo.

Fargo, North Dakota.

Tiago_fernandez | Istock Editorial | Getty Images

No state does better than North Dakota when it comes to the availability of childcare at a reasonable price. The Peace Garden State has 478 licensed childcare centers in a state of fewer than 800,000 people, according to Child Care Aware of America. The average cost is just 9% of the median income for a family with two working parents, or half the cost in Hawaii. Whether the state can continue that record is an open question, however. State childcare assistance has in some ways been a victim of its own success. Late last year, facing budget pressures due in part to high enrollment, the state reduced some of its subsidies. It also eliminated its Working Parents Child Care Relief program, which offered matching payments for employer-led childcare. The final matching payments will go out in August.  

2026 Quality of Life score: 186 out of 290 points (Top States grade: B+) 

Strengths: Childcare, Health, Air Quality, Crime 

Weaknesses: Worker Protections, Reproductive Rights 

Virginia

The Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, Virginia is one of the longest pedestrian malls in the United States. Located on Main Street.

The Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Denistangneyjr | E+ | Getty Images

With just 218 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2024, Virginia had one of the lowest violent crime rates in the nation, according to FBI statistics. Ceasefire Virginia, launched in 2022 under Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares, both Republicans — and continuing under their Democratic successors, Abigail Spanberger and Jay Jones — targets gun violence in 13 municipalities in the Commonwealth with increased penalties for possession and use of firearms by convicted felons. An analysis of the program last year by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center for Public Policy credited it with a 10% decrease in homicides statewide through 2024, including a 24% reduction in homicides in Ceasefire localities. 

2026 Quality of Life score: 189 out of 290 points (Top States grade: B+) 

Strengths: Crime, Air Quality, Health 

Weakness: Childcare 

New Hampshire 

Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, located in the Lakes Region. Lake Winnipesaukee has been a popular tourist destination for more than a century, particularly among residents seeking a safe haven from the summer heat of Boston and New York City.

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire.

Denistangneyjr | E+ | Getty Images

“Live Free or Die” is New Hampshire’s famous motto. And in the Granite State, the first part of that motto almost always wins. A broad range of residents live free from discrimination under the state’s very inclusive statutes. (One exception, however, is its election laws. New Hampshire is one of only three states— the others are Mississippi and Alabama — that do not offer in-person early voting.) Violent crime is practically non-existent, with just 110 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2024. Perhaps even more impressive, the violent crime rate is down 44% since 2014. 

2026 Quality of Life score: 189 out of 290 points (Top States grade: B+) 

Strengths: Crime, Childcare, Inclusiveness 

Weaknesses: Health, Worker Protections 

Hawaii  

Hawaii surfers people relaxing on waikiki beach with surfboards looking at waves in Honolulu, Hawaii. Healthy active lifestyle fitness couple at sunset with diamond head mountain in the background.

Hawaii surfers on waikiki beach in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Maridav | Istock | Getty Images

Hawaii spent many years at or near the top of this list, with low crime, a pristine environment, and welcoming state laws. Then, in 2022, we began factoring in the cost and availability of childcare. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation calls it “more than a family issue — it’s an economic imperative.” The state has been trying since 2023 to address the need with its “Ready Keiki” program (Keiki means child in Hawaiian). In October, the state celebrated the opening of the 100th pre-school classroom under the program, in Kailua. But the need is still enormous — and so is the cost, the highest in the nation at 18% of median income, according to Child Care Aware. 

2026 Quality of Life score: 191 out of 290 points (Top States grade: B+) 

Strengths: Crime, Air Quality, Inclusiveness 

Weaknesses: Childcare, Health 

Connecticut 

Hartford, Connecticut, USA downtown skyline at sunset.

Hartford, Connecticut.

Sean Pavone | Istock | Getty Images

Like most of its New England neighbors, Connecticut is remarkably healthy, and its residents practice healthy habits. Illicit opioid use is the lowest of any state. The Nutmeg State even leads the nation in the percentage of adults who reported visiting a dentist in the past year, according to the United Health Foundation. The state has the nation’s third-lowest violent crime rate. Air quality is poor, however, with high levels of ozone, according to the American Lung Association, and high levels of particulate matter, according to the nonprofit First Street Foundation. 

2026 Quality of Life score: 205 out of 290 points (Top States grade: A–) 

Strengths: Crime, Health, Worker Protections 

Weakness: Air Quality 

Minnesota 

Canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Canoeing in the Boundary Waters Area Wilderness in Minnesota.

Georgepeters | Istock | Getty Images

Minnesota offers among the nation’s strongest guarantees of reproductive rights, according to analysis by the Guttmacher Institute. While there are few issues more divisive than abortion, the economics of it are becoming increasingly clear-cut since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision returned the jurisdiction to the states in 2022. A 2025 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found abortion bans “increase net migration outflows” and that ”(t)he effects are more prominent for single-person households than family households, which may reflect larger effects on younger adults.”

The North Star State also offers strong protections against discrimination, and it earns a near-perfect score from Oxfam America for its worker protections such as the right of workers to organize. And the home of the Mayo Clinic is appropriately among America’s healthiest states. 

2026 Quality of Life score: 210 out of 290 points (Top States grade: A) 

Strengths: Reproductive Rights, Inclusiveness, Health 

Weakness: Childcare 

New Jersey

Manasquan is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

Manasquan is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Denistangneyjr | Istock | Getty Images

Yes, New Jersey. If the Garden State is not the first place that comes to mind when you think about great quality of life, you are not looking closely enough, according to the data. According to the United Health Foundation, New Jersey has the second-lowest rate of premature deaths after Massachusetts, helping to make New Jersey one of America’s healthiest states. It ranks third nationally for healthy lives, according to the Commonwealth Fund’s 2025 Scorecard on State Health System Performance. But like so much else in New Jersey, the state’s health system has serious affordability issues. First-term Gov. Mikie Sherrill has proposed fining employers that do not provide health insurance for their employees, and she is seeking reform in the State Health Benefits Program, which she says has been “pushed to the brink” of insolvency. 

2026 Quality of Life score: 223 out of 290 points (Top States grade: A+) 

Strengths: Health, Reproductive Rights, Worker Protections, Crime 

Weakness: Air Quality 

Maine 

The Portland Head Lighthouse in Maine, USA at sunrise.

The Portland Head Lighthouse in Maine at sunrise.

Sara_winter | Istock | Getty Images

Maine has America’s lowest violent crime rate, with just 100 incidents per 100,000 people in 2024. After a horrific mass shooting spree in 2023 in Lewiston that left 18 people dead, Maine legislators passed a series of reforms that earned the state “most improved” honors in 2024 from the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. The Pine Tree State’s laws offer a wide range of protections against discrimination. But the state has some challenges when it comes to health. Maine ranks No. 42 for drug deaths and No. 35 for frequent mental distress, according to the United Health Foundation.  

2026 Quality of Life score: 232 out of 290 points (Top States grade: A+) 

Strengths: Crime, Inclusiveness, Air Quality 

Weakness: Health 

America’s Best Place to Live in 2026: Vermont 

Montpelier, Vermont.

Montpelier, Vermont.

Sean Pavone Photo | Getty Images

People are feeling good in Vermont. Fifty-four percent of Vermonters surveyed by the United Health Foundation in 2024 reported that they were in good or excellent health — more than in any other state. Crime is low, and, as is common throughout the region, the Green Mountain State fiercely protects its residents’ rights. But one area where the state falls badly short is homelessness. Vermont ranks No. 47 for homelessness, according to the United Health Foundation. By the state’s most recent count, more than 3,000 people were unhoused as of January 2025, in a state with just 644,000 people. So, in a rare moment of agreement, Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill passed by the Democratic-led legislature to overhaul the state’s system to manage the situation. The bill sets aside some $83 million to establish a range of shelter options, with less emphasis on unused hotel rooms. The new law aims to make sure that in America’s top state for quality of life, more people have a place to live. 

2026 Quality of Life score: 233 out of 290 points (Top States grade: A+) 

Strengths: Reproductive Rights, Health, Crime, Inclusiveness, Air Quality 

Weakness: Childcare 

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What states are the best for LGBTQ+ people? These are the top 15

Read more at the Advocate.

Legislative attacks on the LGBTQ+ community have been pushed everywhere from city councils to the White House — but there are still some areas that are safe.

Over 1,000 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been proposed across every state legislature in the U.S. over the past two years, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, and 126 have passed into law. Less than two months into the 2025 legislative session, 390 laws targeting LGBTQ+ people have been proposed.

Still, marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity are still guaranteed federally by U.S. Supreme Court rulings (for now). On top of that, at least 15 states have “shield laws” protecting access to gender-affirming care and abortion.

Based on laws surrounding marriage, family rights, health care, education, and youth collected by the Movement Advancement Project, here are the 15 best states for LGBTQ+ people.

The states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Honorable mentions go to Washington DC, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, New Mexico, and Virginia.

You can read about each state in more detail in the Advocate’s article.

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Trump administration tells Vermont to change foster parent policies aimed at protecting LGBTQ youth 

Read more at Valley News.

President Donald Trump’s administration has warned Vermont that its policies meant to support LGBTQ foster youth may violate federal law, potentially threatening federal funding.

The Oct. 16 letter, written by Alex Adams, assistant secretary of the federal Administration for Children and Families, directed Vermont Secretary of Human Services Jenney Samuelson to provide a written response explaining how the state would address Adams’ concerns.

“It has been brought to my attention that certain policies and procedures in Vermont deny qualified foster and adoptive parents the opportunity to provide children a loving home solely because they cannot, in good conscience, commit to affirming a hypothetical child’s gender identity,” Adams wrote. “Such policies are contrary to the purpose of child welfare programs and inconsistent with our interpretation of federal diligent recruitment plans and constitutional protections, including the First Amendment.”

Other states, including Massachusetts, New York and California, have received similar letters. Vermont’s involvement was first reported by The Imprint, a nonprofit news publication focused on vulnerable children and families. About a third of foster youth identify as LGBTQ, according to multiple studies.

While Adams’ letter does not reference specific Vermont policies, in 2024, two Vermont couples sued the Department for Children and Families, arguing that policies requiring foster parents to affirm a foster child’s sexual orientation or gender identity are unconstitutional and discriminate against Christians. A second lawsuit related to foster parent policies was later brought by a separate family that year.

The prominent conservative legal firm Alliance Defending Freedom represented the couples in the first suit. Similar lawsuits have cropped up across the country, including in Oregon, where a federal appeals court eventually ruled the state’s policies intended to protect LGBTQ foster youth violated free speech. The Vermont lawsuits now sit with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after the families appealed a lower court’s ruling against them.

Per Vermont’s Department for Children and Families policy, “discrimination and bias based on a child or youth’s real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression” is prohibited.

A department spokesperson said no one was available Tuesday for an interview regarding the letter from the federal government and instead requested questions in writing.

In a statement, Aryka Radke, a Department for Children and Families deputy commissioner, wrote that the department “is committed to ensuring that young people in our custody are safe and supported. We are currently reviewing the letter with our legal team.”

Radke did not respond to questions about what funding could be at risk.

While Adams, in the letter, did not explicitly threaten to withhold federal funding from Vermont, he did allude to the possibility.

“Please provide a written response outlining how you will review and, where necessary, amend policies to bring them into alignment with these values and applicable law,” he wrote. “As you know, my responsibilities include monitoring the use of relevant federal funds and ensuring compliance with federal law.”

The Administration for Children and Families did not respond to a request for comment.

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What states are the best for LGBTQ+ people? These are the top 15

Read more at The Advocate.

\u200bRainbow crosswalk in Hoboken (L); Women on motorcycles at Denver Pride (M); Empire State Building in rainbow colors (R)

Kirkam / Shutterstock.com; Philipp Salveter / Shutterstock.com; anaglic / Shutterstock.com

Rainbow LGBTQ+ Pride crosswalk in Hoboken, New Jersey (L); Women on motorcycles at Pride celebration in Denver, Colorado (M); Empire State Building in NYC lit up in rainbow colors (R)

    Legislative attacks on the LGBTQ+ community have been pushed everywhere from city councils to the White House — but there are still some areas that are safe.

    Over 1,000 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been proposed across every state legislature in the U.S. over the past two years, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, and 126 have passed into law. Less than two months into the 2025 legislative session, 390 laws targeting LGBTQ+ people have been proposed.

    Still, marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity are still guaranteed federally by U.S. Supreme Court rulings (for now). On top of that, at least 15 states have “shield laws” protecting access to gender-affirming care and abortion.

    Based on laws surrounding marriage, family rights, health care, education, and youth collected by the Movement Advancement Project, here are the 15 best states for LGBTQ+ people.

    Related: What states are the most dangerous for LGBTQ+ people? Here are the worst 15

    California

    West Hollywood Pride balloons

    GrandAve / Shutterstock.com

    Pride celebration in West Hollywood, California – June 9, 2019

      Nondiscrimination laws: California has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, health care, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending.

      Marriage equality and parental rights: California has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, second-parent adoption for unmarried couples and confirmatory adoption, and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies. It also has family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions.

      Education and youth policies: California does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, and instead requires curriculum to be LGBTQ-inclusive, which parents are not required to be notified of. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

      Healthcare access and rights: California has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. However, they are not required to cover fertility treatments.

      Criminal justice: California’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense. While the state does not criminalize HIV, it does have sentencing enhancements for sex-related convictions for those with HIV.

      Colorado

      Women on motorcycles at Denver Pride celebration

      Philipp Salveter / Shutterstock.com

      Women on motorcycles at Pride celebration in Denver, Colorado, USA – June 16th 2019

        Nondiscrimination laws: Colorado has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, education, health care, public accommodations, and credit/lending.

        Marriage equality and parental rights: Colorado has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, second-parent adoption for unmarried couples and confirmatory adoption, and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies. It also has family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions.

        Education and youth policies: Colorado does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians. It does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, and instead requires curriculum to be LGBTQ-inclusive, which parents are not required to be notified of.

        Healthcare access and rights: Colorado has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. However, state employees who are transgender do not have inclusive health benefits. Insurance companies are also not required to cover fertility treatments.

        Criminal justice: The state’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense. Like California, Colorado does not criminalize HIV, but it does have sentencing enhancements for sex-related convictions for those with HIV.

        Connecticut

        Pride flags outside Vine Cottage CT

        Miro Vrlik Photography / Shutterstock.com

        LGBTQ+ Pride flags outside Vine Cottage in New Canaan, Connecticut – June 13, 2021

          Nondiscrimination laws: Connecticut has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending. It does not have nondiscrimination laws for private healthcare, and it does have a broad “Religious Exemption” law.

          Marriage equality and parental rights: Connecticut has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, second-parent adoption for unmarried couples and confirmatory adoption, and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies. It also has family leave laws, but their LGBTQ-inclusive definitions are not as robust as those of California or Colorado.

          Education and youth policies: Connecticut does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, but it does not have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

          Healthcare access and rights: Connecticut has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. Private insurance is required to cover some fertility treatments, but Medicaid is not.Criminal justice:Connecticut’s hate crime law encompasses sexual orientation but not gender identity. It also does not have nondiscrimination laws for LGBTQ+ people in jury selection.

          Illinois

          "Persist" balloons at Chicago

          Dominique Robinson / Shutterstock.com

          LGBTQ+ Pride in Chicago, Illinois – June 30th 2019

            Nondiscrimination laws: Illinois has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, health care, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending. However, it does have a broad “Religious Exemption” law.

            Marriage equality and parental rights: Illinois has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, second-parent adoption for unmarried couples, and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies. It also has family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions. It does not have confirmatory adoption.

            Education and youth policies: Illinois does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, and instead requires curriculum to be LGBTQ-inclusive, which parents are not required to be notified of. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

            Healthcare access and rights: Illinois has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition or fertility treatments.

            Criminal justice: Illinois’ hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense.

            Maine

            Woman waving flag at Pride in Portland, Maine

            Enrico Della Pietra / Shutterstock.com

            LGBTQ+ Pride in Portland, Maine – June 18, 2022

              Nondiscrimination laws: Maine has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, health care, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending.

              Marriage equality and parental rights: Maine has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, second-parent adoption for unmarried couples and confirmatory adoption, and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies. It also has family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions.

              Education and youth policies: Maine does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, but it does not have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

              Healthcare access and rights: Maine has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. Private insurance is required to cover some fertility treatments, but Medicaid is not.Criminal justice:Maine’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense.

              Maryland

              Marchers and floats in the first Annapolis Pride parade

              Keri Delaney / Shutterstock.com

              The inaugural Pride Parade in Annapolis, Maryland – June 29, 2019

                Nondiscrimination laws: Maryland has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, health care, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending.

                Marriage equality and parental rights: Maryland has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, confirmatory adoption, and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies. It does not second-parent adoption for unmarried couples. It also has family leave laws, but their LGBTQ-inclusive definitions are not as robust as others.

                Education and youth policies: Maryland does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, but it does not have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

                Healthcare access and rights: Maryland has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. Private insurance is required to cover some fertility treatments, but Medicaid is not.

                Criminal justice: Maryland’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense. It does have a law criminalizing the transmission of HIV.

                Massachusetts

                Pride flag over Boston Seaport

                Michael Moloney / Shutterstock.com

                LGBTQ+ Pride flag waving in the wind over the Boston Seaport – JUNE 2, 2019

                  Nondiscrimination laws: Massachusetts has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending. It has nondiscrimination laws for gender identity in private healthcare, but not for sexual orientation.

                  Marriage equality and parental rights: Massachusetts has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, second-parent adoption for unmarried couples, and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies. It also has family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions. It does not have confirmatory adoption.

                  Education and youth policies: Massachusetts does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, but it does not have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

                  Healthcare access and rights: Massachusetts has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. Private insurance is required to cover some fertility treatments, but Medicaid is not.

                  Criminal justice: Maryland’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, but it has not banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense. It does not have nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity for jury selection.

                  Minnesota

                  Lowry Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis lit in Rainbow Colors

                  Shuttershock Creative

                  Lowry Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis lit in Rainbow Colors in Honor of Orlando Victims

                    Nondiscrimination laws: Minnesota has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, health care, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending.

                    Marriage equality and parental rights: Minnesota has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents. It does have family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions. It does not have second-parent adoption for unmarried couples, confirmatory adoption, nor recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies.

                    Education and youth policies: Minnesota does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, but it does not have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

                    Healthcare access and rights: Minnesota has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. However, they are not required to cover fertility treatments.

                    Criminal justice: Minnesota’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense.

                    Nevada

                    Las Vegas Pride parade float

                    Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock

                    LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Las Vegas, Nevada – October 21 , 2016

                      Nondiscrimination laws: Nevada has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, health care, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending.

                      Marriage equality and parental rights: Nevada has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, second-parent adoption for unmarried couples, and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies. It also has family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions. It does not have confirmatory adoption.

                      Education and youth policies: Nevada does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, and instead requires curriculum to be LGBTQ-inclusive, which parents are not required to be notified of. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, but it does not require staff to forcibly out students who change their gender identity to their guardians

                      Healthcare access and rights: Nevada does not have shield laws for gender-affirming care and abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. However, they are not required to cover fertility treatments.

                      Criminal justice: Nevada’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense. It does not have nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity for jury selection.

                      New Jersey

                      Rainbow crosswalk in Hoboken, New Jersey

                      Kirkam / Shutterstock.com

                      Rainbow LGBTQ+ Pride crosswalk in Hoboken, New Jersey, – June 25, 2023

                        Nondiscrimination laws: New Jersey has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending. It has nondiscrimination laws for gender identity in private healthcare, but not for sexual orientation.

                        Marriage equality and parental rights: New Jersey has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, and second-parent adoption for unmarried couples and confirmatory adoption. It also has family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions. It does not have recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies.

                        Education and youth policies: New Jersey does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, and instead requires curriculum to be LGBTQ-inclusive, which parents are not required to be notified of. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

                        Healthcare access and rights: New Jersey has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. Private insurance is required to cover some fertility treatments, but Medicaid is not.

                        Criminal justice: New Jersey’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense. It does not have nondiscrimination laws for LGBTQ+ people in jury selection.

                        New York

                        Empire State Building in rainbow colors

                        anaglic / Shutterstock.com

                        Empire State Building in rainbow colors in honor of the Orlando shooting victims, New York City – June 26, 2016

                          Nondiscrimination laws: New York has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, health care, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending.

                          Marriage equality and parental rights: New York has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, second-parent adoption for unmarried couples, and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies. It also has family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions. It does not have confirmatory adoption.

                          Education and youth policies: New York does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, but it does not have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

                          Healthcare access and rights: New York has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. Private insurance and Medicaid are also required to cover some fertility treatments.

                          Criminal justice: New York’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense.

                          Oregon

                          Protestors wear rainbow flag capes and carry a sign reading "Be nice, you're in Oregon"

                          Alexander Oganezov / Shutterstock.com

                          Protestors wear rainbow flag capes and carry a sign reading “Be nice, you’re in Oregon” at anti-fascism protest in Portland, Oregon – August 17, 2019

                            Nondiscrimination laws: Oregon has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, health care, education, and public accommodations. It does not have nondiscrimination laws in credit/lending.

                            Marriage equality and parental rights: Oregon has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents and second-parent adoption for unmarried couples. It does have family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions. It does not have confirmatory adoption, nor recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies.

                            Education and youth policies: Oregon does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians. It does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, and instead requires curriculum to be LGBTQ-inclusive, which parents are not required to be notified of.

                            Healthcare access and rights: Oregon has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. However, they are not required to cover fertility treatments.

                            Criminal justice: Oregon’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense.

                            Rhode Island

                            Rainbow flags on bridge over water in Providence, Rhode Island

                            Anthony Ricci / Shutterstock.com

                            Pride festival in downtown Providence, Rhode Island – June 17, 2017

                              Nondiscrimination laws: Rhode Island has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending. It has nondiscrimination laws for gender identity in private healthcare, but not for sexual orientation. It also has a broad “Religious Exemption” law.

                              Marriage equality and parental rights: Rhode Island has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, second-parent adoption for unmarried couples and confirmatory adoption, and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies. It also has family leave laws, but their LGBTQ-inclusive definitions are not as robust as others.

                              Education and youth policies: Rhode Island does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, but it does not have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

                              Healthcare access and rights: Rhode Island has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. Private insurance is required to cover some fertility treatments, but Medicaid is not.

                              Criminal justice: Rhode Island’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense. It does not have nondiscrimination laws for LGBTQ+ people in jury selection.

                              Vermont

                              Pride flag on lamppost in Montpelier, Vermont

                              Charles Patrick Ewing / Shutterstock.com

                              LGBTQ+ Pride flag on lamppost in Montpelier, Vermont – June 11, 2022

                                Nondiscrimination laws: Vermont has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, health care, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending.

                                Marriage equality and parental rights: Vermont has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents, second-parent adoption for unmarried couples, and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies. It also has family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions. It does not have confirmatory adoption.

                                Education and youth policies: Vermont does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, but it does not have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

                                Healthcare access and rights: Vermont has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. However, state employees who are transgender do not have inclusive health benefits. Insurance companies are also not required to cover fertility treatments.

                                Criminal justice: Vermont’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense. It does not have nondiscrimination laws for LGBTQ+ people in jury selection.

                                Washington

                                People carrying "We say trans" and "We say gay" signs at Seattle Pride

                                SeaRick1 / Shutterstock.com

                                People carrying rainbow signs reading “We say trans” and “We say gay” at LGBTQ+ Pride in Seattle, Washington – June 25, 2023

                                  Nondiscrimination laws: Washington has nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, health care, education, public accommodations, and credit/lending.

                                  Marriage equality and parental rights: Washington has adoption and foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents and recognition for parents using assisted reproductive technologies.. It does have family leave laws, which include LGBTQ-inclusive definitions. It does not have second-parent adoption for unmarried couples, nor confirmatory adoption.

                                  Education and youth policies: Washington does not restrict discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms, and instead requires curriculum to be LGBTQ-inclusive, which parents are not required to be notified of. It does not prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using school facilities based on their identities, and it does not require staff to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their guardians.

                                  Healthcare access and rights: Washington has “shield” laws protecting access to gender-affirming care for youth, as well as abortion. The state has also banned so-called conversion therapy for youth. Health insurance companies, including Medicaid, are not allowed to deny coverage related to gender transition. However, they are not required to cover fertility treatments.

                                  Criminal justice: Washington’s hate crime laws encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, and it has banned the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic” defense. It does have a law criminalizing the transmission of HIV.

                                  Honorable mentions

                                  Sign outside SCOTUS reading "Equality for LGBTQ people no more, no less"

                                  Bob Korn / Shutterstock.com

                                  Rally for LGBTQ rights outside Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. – OCT. 8, 2019

                                    Washington, D.C. also ranked high on MAP’s assessment, though it does not currently have statehood.

                                    Other states that ranked above average include: Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Virginia.

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