• Log in
    PoliticsBusinessA&ETransgenderBisexualityReligionFamiliesVoicesVideo
    OUTPrideOut TravelerPLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    SubscribeSubscriber ServicesEmail Newsletter Signup
    CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
    All Rights reserved
    Advocate.comAdvocate.com

    The 8 Worst Cities for LGBT People

    Trudy Ring
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    Worst Cities for LGBT People (Click 'more' to the right for additional information)

    Worst cities for LGBT people

    The Human Rights Campaign has just released its fifth annual Municipal Equality Index, rating cities and towns on their LGBT-friendliness. The HRC rated 506 cities around the nation on their nondiscrimination laws, municipal employment policies, municipal services, law enforcement, and general relationship with LGBT residents.

    The HRC rated a diverse group of communities: the 50 state capitals, the 200 largest cities in the U.S., the five largest municipalities in each state, the cities home to the state’s two largest public universities, 75 municipalities that have high proportions of same-sex couples, and 98 cities selected by HRC and Equality Federation state group members and supporters.

    Besides the main criteria, cities could receive bonus points for various things, such as having an openly LGBT elected or appointed official, or being pro-equality despite a restrictive state law — for instance, North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which prohibits cities and counties from enacting or enforcing LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances.

    Sixty cities scored a perfect 100, and a quarter of the cities scored over 75. The average score was 55. But eight cities on the list were at zero. They are generally small, but they’re not all hamlets — and a couple are home to well-known universities. Click through to find out about those that, by the index’s criteria, are the worst places for LGBT Americans to live.

    close button
    Politics
    Replay Gallery

    More Galleries

    LGBTQ+ Athletes
    Sports
    Badge
    gallery

    27 LGBTQ+ Sports Legends Who Dominated Their Field

    January 13 2023 8:00 AM
    Queer Golden Globes
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    14 LGBTQ+ Golden Globes Nominees

    January 10 2023 6:02 PM
    Memoriam
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    In Memoriam: 21 LGBTQ+ Notables Who Died in 2022

    December 30 2022 6:21 PM
    Healey DeSantis Griner
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    The Biggest LGBTQ+ Stories of 2022

    December 30 2022 7:00 AM
    36 Pics of Inhibitions and Shirts Coming Off at Hebro's Jewbilee Party
    Photography
    Badge
    gallery

    36 Pics of Inhibitions and Shirts Coming Off at Hebro's Jewbilee Party

    December 29 2022 3:23 PM
    Queer Saints
    Religion
    Badge
    gallery

    30 LGBTQ+ Religious Saints Throughout History

    December 27 2022 8:01 AM