*Note: These percentages reflect estimates of the LGBTQ youth (ages 13-17) population living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Estimates of LGBTQ youth in the U.S. territories or under age 13 are not available, and so cannot be reflected here. Population estimates are from The Williams Institute.
25 % of LGBTQ youth (ages 13-17) live in states that require inclusion of LGBTQ people/history in school curricular standards
1 % of LGBTQ youth (ages 13-17) live in states that require the state education department to develop an LGBTQ-inclusive model curriculum, but do not require schools to use it
36 % of LGBTQ youth (ages 13-17) live in states with none of these LGBTQ-specific curricular laws
13 % of LGBTQ youth (ages 13-17) live in states that restrict how schools can discuss "homosexuality" in specific curricula (e.g., sex education) (see note beneath the map)
15 % of LGBTQ youth (ages 13-17) live in states that require parental notification of any LGBTQ-related curricula and allow parents to opt their children out (or require opt-in)
20 % of LGBTQ youth (ages 13-17) live in states that explicitly censor discussions of LGBTQ people or issues throughout all school curricula (i.e., “Don’t Say LGBTQ”)
State | LGBTQ-Inclusive Curricular Standards | Law restricting discussion of "homosexuality" in specific subjects | Parental Notification Laws | “Don’t Say LGBTQ” Laws | Year passed |
Citations | Citations | Citations | Citations | ||
Alabama | State does not have this law | 1992 | |||
Alaska | |||||
American Samoa | |||||
Arizona | State does not have this law | 2021 | |||
Arkansas | State does not have this law | State does not have this law | 2021, 2023 | ||
California | State has this law | 2011 | |||
Colorado | State has this law | 2019 | |||
Connecticut | |||||
Delaware | |||||
District of Columbia | |||||
Florida | State does not have this law | State does not have this law | 2021, 2022 | ||
Georgia | |||||
Guam | |||||
Hawaii | |||||
Idaho | |||||
Illinois | State has this law | 2019 | |||
Indiana | State does not have this law | 2023 | |||
Iowa | State does not have this law | 2023 | |||
Kansas | |||||
Kentucky | State does not have this law | 2023 | |||
Louisiana | State does not have this law | State does not have this law | 20241993 | ||
Maine | |||||
Maryland | |||||
Massachusetts | |||||
Michigan | |||||
Minnesota | |||||
Mississippi | State does not have this law | 1998 | |||
Missouri | |||||
Montana | State does not have this law | 2021 | |||
Nebraska | |||||
Nevada | State has this law | 2021 | |||
New Hampshire | State does not have this law | 2024 | |||
New Jersey | State has this law | 2019 | |||
New Mexico | |||||
New York | |||||
North Carolina | State does not have this law | 2023 | |||
North Dakota | |||||
Northern Mariana Islands | |||||
Ohio | State does not have this law | State does not have this law | 20252025 | ||
Oklahoma | State does not have this law | 1995 | |||
Oregon | State has this law | 2019 | |||
Pennsylvania | |||||
Puerto Rico | |||||
Rhode Island | |||||
South Carolina | |||||
South Dakota | |||||
Tennessee | State does not have this law | 2021 | |||
Texas | State does not have this law | 1991 | |||
U.S. Virgin Islands | |||||
Utah | |||||
Vermont | |||||
Virginia | |||||
Washington | State has this law | 2024 | |||
West Virginia | |||||
Wisconsin | |||||
Wyoming | State does not have this law | 2024 |
Be the first to know about new reports and MAP news by signing up for our newsletter
Founded in 2006, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an independent, nonprofit think tank that provides rigorous research, insight and communications that help speed equality and opportunity for all.
MAP works to ensure that all people have a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life. MAP is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and donations to MAP are 100% tax-deductible. You can read more about MAP and the work we do on our About page.
A limited set of materials is restricted to the staff and board members of LGBTQ movement organizations. Click below to request user access.
Join MAPView our privacy policy.
The term “sexual orientation” is loosely defined as a person’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or more than one sex or gender. Laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation primarily protect or harm lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. That said, transgender people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual can be affected by laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation.
“Gender identity” is a person’s deeply-felt inner sense of being male, female, or something else or in-between. “Gender expression” refers to a person’s characteristics and behaviors such as appearance, dress, mannerisms and speech patterns that can be described as masculine, feminine, or something else. Gender identity and expression are independent of sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual. Laws that explicitly mention “gender identity” or “gender identity and expression” primarily protect or harm transgender people. These laws also can apply to people who are not transgender, but whose sense of gender or manner of dress does not adhere to gender stereotypes.
We appreciate you signing up for the MAP newsletter. You will receive an automatic email confirmation shortly.