Despite progress in LGBTQ rights over the years, there are still states in the US where people can be fired for being gay. This is due to the lack of federal protections for LGBTQ workers, leaving the issue up to individual states. Here are the states that allow discrimination against LGBTQ people in the workplace:
Alabama
Alabama is one of the states where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers and has even passed legislation that allows religious organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.
Alaska
Alaska is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. In 2018, the state's Supreme Court ruled that the state's human rights laws do not protect LGBTQ individuals from employment discrimination.
Arizona
Arizona also does not have statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, meaning employers can legally fire someone for being gay. However, some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Arkansas
Arkansas is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers and has even passed legislation that allows religious organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.
Florida
Florida is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Georgia
Georgia is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers and has even passed legislation that allows religious organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.
Idaho
Idaho is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Indiana
Indiana is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Kansas
Kansas is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers and has even passed legislation that allows religious organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.
Kentucky
Kentucky is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers and has even passed legislation that allows religious organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.
Louisiana
Louisiana is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers and has even passed legislation that allows religious organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.
Michigan
Michigan is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. However, the state's Supreme Court ruled that local governments can pass their own anti-discrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ workers.
Mississippi
Mississippi is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers and has even passed legislation that allows religious organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.
Missouri
Missouri is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers and has even passed legislation that allows religious organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.
Montana
Montana is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Nebraska
Nebraska is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
North Carolina
North Carolina is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers and has even passed legislation that bans local governments from passing their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
North Dakota
North Dakota is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Ohio
Ohio is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. However, some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
South Carolina
South Carolina is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers and has even passed legislation that bans local governments from passing their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
South Dakota
South Dakota is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Tennessee
Tennessee is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers and has even passed legislation that allows religious organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.
Texas
Texas is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Virginia
Virginia is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. However, in 2020, the state passed a law that prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
West Virginia
West Virginia is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Wyoming
Wyoming is another state where it is legal to fire someone for being gay. The state has no statewide protections for LGBTQ workers, but some cities in the state have passed their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
Conclusion
It is important to note that while these states allow discrimination against LGBTQ workers, there are still many employers who choose not to discriminate and who value diversity and inclusion in the workplace. However, until there are federal protections in place for LGBTQ workers, the fight for equality in the workplace will continue.