R.I. unchanged in report analyzing LGBT equality nationwide

PROVIDENCE – The Ocean State again fell into the “building equality” category in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual index that assesses the status of state legislation affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality across the nation.
The category means that states like Rhode Island have taken steps toward “more robust LGBT equality, including passing basic non-discrimination and hate crimes laws,” but still have work to do. Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah and Wisconsin also fell into this category.
Rhode Island was recognized for its non-discrimination laws for employment, housing, public accommodations, adoption and foster care, as well as anti-bullying laws and transgender inclusion in sports. But it lacks non-discrimination laws in education, insurance and jury selection, and a law or policy against youth conversion therapy, the study said.
The “building equality” states, according to the HRC, “allow gender markers to be changed on official documents, but have few protections for transgender health care. Some lack explicit gender identity protections, and several lack comprehensive anti-bullying laws.” It also said that “bad laws are more common” in these states, so advocates “work to stop bills that undermine LGBT equality, and to pass more comprehensive non-discrimination laws.”
The HRC, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, partnered with the Equality Federation on the study.
The state equality index assesses statewide LGBT-related legislation and policies, good and bad, in five areas: parenting laws and policies; non-discrimination laws; hate crimes laws; youth-related laws and policies; and health and safety laws and policies. Based on the review, the SEI assigns states to the following four categories: the highest, working toward innovative equality; followed by solidifying equality, where Massachusetts falls; then building equality; and the lowest, high priority to achieve basic equality.

“Even with marriage equality the law of the land, the battle for LGBT rights at the state level continues to be a story of successes and setbacks,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement. “Though a number of states are expanding access to non-discrimination protections for LGBT people and their families, a majority of states are still struggling to reach even a basic level of equality for LGBT people.”

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