Credit Nondiscrimination

Credit and lending nondiscrimination laws protect people from being unfairly denied credit and lending services, such as opening a bank account, taking out a loan, and more. This map shows state credit and lending nondiscrimination laws that explicitly enumerate sexual orientation and/or gender identity as protected classes, as well as states that explicitly interpret existing sex protections in credit law to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Other rights may exist or be applicable where you live, including through broadly-defined public accommodations laws (click the “citations” button for additional information). This map is not intended as legal advice or an indication of your rights. If you have experienced discrimination, contact Lambda Legal’s Help Desk or otherwise see legal advice.

State law explicitly prohibits discrimination in credit based on sexual orientation and gender identity
(16 states + 1 territory + D.C.)
State explicitly interprets existing prohibition on sex discrimination in credit to include sexual orientation and gender identity
(2 states)
State law explicitly prohibits discrimination in credit based on sexual orientation only
(1 state)
No explicit prohibitions for discrimination in credit based on sexual orientation or gender identity
(31 states + 4 territories)
Citations & More Information

NOTE: In green stripe states, the state’s nondiscrimination law does not explicitly enumerate sexual orientation or gender identity, but the state’s civil/human rights commission has explicitly stated it interprets the state’s existing protections against sex discrimination to include protections for both sexual orientation and gender identity. See the “Citations & More Information” button beneath the map legend for more detail for every state.

Individuals who have experienced discrimination should contact Lambda Legal’s Help Desk or otherwise seek legal advice. This map is not intended as legal advice or an indication of your rights.

Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project. 2026. “Equality Maps: Credit Nondiscrimination Laws.” https://mapresearch.org/equality-map/nondiscrimination-laws/#credit. Data as of June 12, 2026.

Percent of Adult LGBTQ Population Covered by Laws

*Note: These percentages reflect estimates of the LGBTQ adult population living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Estimates of the LGBTQ adult population in the five inhabited U.S. territories are not available, and so cannot be reflected here.

42%
42% of LGBTQ population lives in states prohibiting credit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
4%
4% of the LGBTQ population lives in states that explicitly interpret existing prohibition on sex discrimination in credit to include sexual orientation and gender identity
1%
1% of LGBTQ population lives in states prohibiting credit discrimination based on sexual orientation only
53%
53% of LGBTQ population lives in states that do not prohibit credit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity