NDO: Overview

In the absence of federal or state nondiscrimination protections, many municipalities have taken action to protect their LGBTQ community members from discrimination. These local nondiscrimination ordinances (NDOs) do so by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in private employment, housing, and/or public accommodations.

As of January 1, 2026, there are 21 states, Washington D.C. (see state nondiscrimination laws here), and at least 390 municipalities that fully and explicitly prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ people in employment, housing, and public accommodations. For a full listing of these municipalities, click the “City and County Listing” tab above. Note this count of municipalities does not include municipalities in states with statewide protections, or municipalities with only partial protection.

This map shows the percent of each state’s population with comprehensive protections: protected from discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity, in all three of private employment, housing, and public accommodations. While the vast majority of local ordinances are fully comprehensive, some ordinances protect only in certain areas (such as housing) or only based on sexual orientation. The portion of the public protected only by these partial ordinances are not included here. For more information about the scope of a state’s coverage, including partial coverage, please see the city and county tab, or the detailed information in each state’s profile by clicking on that state in the map below.

State law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
(21 states + D.C.)
State law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation only
(2 states)
No state law explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity
(27 states)
State law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation only and state law bans local-level nondiscrimination protections that are more inclusive than the state's law
(1 state)
State law bans local-level nondiscrimination protections that are more inclusive than the state's law
(3 states)
Percent covered by Local NDO Overview
Percent of the state population protected by local ordinances from discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity
(30 states)
*In certain states the state’s nondiscrimination law does not explicitly enumerate sexual orientation or gender identity, but the state has stated it explicitly interprets the state’s existing protections against sex discrimination to include protections for both sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations. For more detail, see the state nondiscrimination law maps and corresponding citation sheets.
*Utah‘s nondiscrimination law explicitly enumerates both sexual orientation and gender identity, but only in employment and housing, not public accommodations. Since this map displays “ideal” coverage (all three of employment, housing, and public accommodations), Utah is shown here as being without full or ideal protections.
*Wisconsin‘s nondiscrimination law explicitly enumerates sexual orientation, but not gender identity. As a result, 100% of Wisconsin residents are protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation, but residents are only protected from discrimination based on gender identity if their local city or county has enacted such protections.
Note that enforcement mechanisms within these ordinances vary by jurisdiction. Note also that some jurisdictions may prohibit discrimination in public employment (i.e., government employees only), but only ordinances that prohibit discrimination in private employment are included here.
Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project. “Equality Maps: Local Nondiscrimination Ordinances.” https://mapresearch.org/map-sections/overview/. Accessed June 12, 2026.