LGBTQ Equality Program FAQ
What are the “State Policy Scores”?
The State Policy Scores are a wide-ranging look at state and local laws and policies that protect or harm LGBTQ people. MAP tracks over 50 LGBTQ-related laws and policies in all 50 states, D.C., and the five U.S. territories. For each of these policies, MAP assigns a point value and then tallies them to create a “policy score” for each state.
Harmful or discriminatory policies earn negative points, while LGBTQ-inclusive or protective laws earn positive points. Fractions of a point may be awarded for states that have enacted a portion of a law, or in cases where local laws provide some protection but do not cover the entire state population.
Policies are evaluated and scored based on their relevance to both sexual orientation and gender identity. As a result, each state receives three scores: a Sexual Orientation score, a Gender Identity score, and an Overall (combined) score. Having both the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity scores illustrates how LGBQ-related versus transgender-related policies differ within a state and across the country.
States are also categorized as “Negative,” “Low,” “Fair,” “Medium,” or “High,” based on their score relative to the total points possible. This categorization allows for a clear comparison of the LGBTQ policy landscape across states.
States can have the same categorization for all three scores, or different categorizations for each. Table 1 shows the cut-offs for each categorization in each of the three measures.
| Sexual Orientation Tally | Gender Identity Tally | Overall Tally | |
|---|---|---|---|
High (75-100% of total points possible) | 17.25+ | 19.5+ | 36.75+ |
Medium (50-74.9% of total points possible) | 11.5 to 17 | 13 to 19.25 | 24.5 to 36.5 |
Fair (25-49.9% of total points possible) | 5.75 to 11.25 | 6 to 12.75 | 12.25 to 24.25 |
Low (0-24.9% of total points possible) | 0 to 5.5 | 0 to 5.75 | 0 to 12 |
Negative (<0 points) | <0 | <0 | <0 |
Total points possible | 23 | 26 | 49 |
Our scoring is updated in real time – meaning that as new laws pass, we will update the maps and include the new laws in the scoring and citation sheet available for each map.
What policies do you include in the score?
We select policies based on their relevance to the LGBTQ community and movement, including based on feedback from LGBTQ community members and advocates.
For a full listing of policies included in the score at this time, please see any state’s profile.
The score focuses primarily on state-level laws, but the score does include local-level progress in two areas: (1) protections against conversion “therapy” and (2) nondiscrimination protections in private employment, housing, and public accommodations.
It is important to note that the policy score only looks at existing laws and policies and is therefore only one measure of LGBTQ equality and experiences. The scores and maps do not reflect active legislation that has been proposed but not passed, nor does it reflect social climate, public opinion, the efforts of advocates to prevent further negative laws from happening, or the opportunities for future change.
If you have a suggestion for LGBTQ policies to include in our tracking, or other ideas for expanding the maps, please email us at info@mapresearch.org.
What is considered a “Negative Law”?
Negative laws are those that specifically target LGBTQ people and/or restrict access to rights, services, or programs for LGBTQ people. Examples of negative laws include:
- “Don’t Say LGBTQ” laws that explicitly prohibit educators from discussing LGBTQ issues or people in a positive manner or from mentioning LGBTQ people at all in schools.
- Religious exemption laws that allow medical providers, child welfare agencies, or private businesses to explicitly refuse to serve people if they feel doing so would conflict with their religious beliefs, including people of different faiths, races, or genders or sexualities (including LGBTQ people).
- HIV criminalization laws, which disproportionately impact gay and bisexual men, transgender people, and people of color (and LGBTQ people of color).
How often do you update the Equality Maps?
Our scoring is updated in real time – meaning that as new laws pass, we will update the maps and include the new laws in the scoring and citation sheet available for each map.
However, tracking over 50 laws and policies across 50 states, D.C., and the five territories is a complex task, and we sometimes miss things. If you see an area where our maps or state profiles are out of date, please email us at info@mapresearch.org.
Why does the score look at sexual orientation and gender identity separately?
Based on the laws we currently track, and especially given the ongoing political targeting of transgender people, there are slightly more laws or policies that implicate or target gender identity than sexual orientation. If you have a suggestion for LGBTQ policies to include in our tracking, or other ideas for expanding the maps, please email us at info@mapresearch.org.
Are states with High or Medium equality scores better for LGBTQ people to live in than states with lower scores?
Higher scores reflect stronger legal equality and inclusive protections. These protections are important and better people’s lives through improved access, safeguards against discrimination, and more. Research similarly shows that the lack of legal equality has negative impacts on LGBTQ people, such as limiting access to health care or a comprehensive education or safe housing. What’s more, anti-LGBTQ laws—at the federal, state, and local levels—have emotional consequences, as they convey to LGBTQ people that they matter less than others, that their families and their health are not as important, and that their contributions at work are less valued.
However, it is important to note that the policy score only looks at existing laws and policies, and is therefore only one measure of LGBTQ equality and experiences. The scores and maps do not reflect active legislation that has been proposed but not passed, nor does it reflect social climate, public opinion, the efforts of advocates to prevent further negative laws from happening, or the opportunities for future change.
Why is there so much variation between the states?
Some areas of the country have demonstrated greater resistance to equality for LGBTQ people, resulting in tougher challenges for advocates, who are often forced to negotiate addressing greater opposition with fewer resources. States with low scores might shift rapidly with an influx of resources, whereas states with high scores might continue to expand equality for LGBTQ people in ways that can provide models for other states. Contact your state’s LGBTQ advocacy group here or your local LGBTQ community center here to get involved in the fight for equality where you live.
Why does MAP do this work?
As a result of the uneven and uncertain progress for LGBTQ equality, LGBTQ people in America face an almost incomprehensible patchwork of laws. An LGBTQ individual or family may have high levels of legal equality in one state, while their LGBTQ counterparts in a neighboring state face only hostile or negative laws. Constructing in-depth policy scores by state gives us an idea of the legislative landscape and pinpoints the gaps in protections across the U.S. The scores also help illustrate the differences in legal equality based on sexual orientation versus gender identity, while demonstrating that progress in one area does not necessarily mean progress in the other.
Where can I learn more about each of these policies?
Use our “choose an issue” button within the Equality Maps to view our issue specific maps, policy descriptors and links to additional relevant resources.
Visit our Policy and Issue Analysis page to learn more about specific issue areas or populations. For more tailored results, use the search function in the navigation bar.
For additional questions or suggestions, contact us at info@mapresearch.org.
Democracy Program FAQ
What are the "State Policy Scores"?
The State Policy Scores are a wide-ranging look at state laws and policies that impact access to voting and the health of democracy. MAP tracks over 50 election and voting related laws and policies in all 50 states and D.C. For each of these policies, MAP assigns a point value and then tallies them to create a “policy score” for each state.
Harmful or discriminatory policies earn negative points, policies that increase voter access and protect democracy earn positive points. Fractions of a point may be awarded for states that have enacted a portion of a law, or where there are variations in policies.
Policies are evaluated and scored in six areas relevant to elections and voting: Election Independence, Election Security, Representation and Participation, Voting by Mail, Voter Registration, and Voting in Person.
States are also categorized as “Negative,” “Low,” “Fair,” “Medium,” or “High,” based on their overall score relative to the total points possible. This categorization allows for a clear comparison of the election and voting policy landscape across states.
Our scoring is updated in real time – meaning that as new laws pass, we will update the maps and include the new laws in the scoring and citation sheet available for each map.
What policies do you include in the score?
We select policies based on their relevance to and impact on voter access and the strength of democracy in states. We also get feedback from partners and advocates on emerging policies that should be included.
For a full listing of policies included in the score at this time, please see any state’s profile.
It is important to note that the policy score only looks at existing laws and policies and is therefore only one measure of the health of democracy in the states. The scores and maps do not reflect active legislation that has been proposed but not passed, nor does it reflect social climate, public opinion, the efforts of advocates to prevent further negative laws from happening, or the opportunities for future change.
If you have a suggestion for policies to include in our tracking, or other ideas for expanding the maps, please email us at info@mapresearch.org.
What does the policy score not include?
The Democracy Policy Score is a summary measure across 50+ voting and election-related laws and policies currently on the books in each state. While it is an excellent and robust measure of a state’s current voting/electoral policy environment across a wide range of issues, it does not necessarily reflect the entire political or social landscape shaping voting and elections.
- Number of policies: While we currently track 50+ voting and election-related laws and policies, these are not all the laws and policies shaping the voting experience. We regularly add new policies to our tracking to further improve this measure. If you have suggestions for democracy policies to include in our tracking, please email info@mapresearch.org.
- Non-policy factors: This measure does not reflect bills that have been proposed but not passed; a state’s social climate or public opinion; the efforts of advocates in the state; and other non-policy-related factors that also shape voting experiences.
- Non-voting policy: The Democracy Score is focused on voting and election-related policy measures, but a voter’s experiences are shaped by numerous factors. These factors include income and economic security, education, racial justice and health disparities, among many other variables.
- Snapshot in time: The Democracy Score also provides only a current-moment snapshot of a state’s policy environment. This does not reflect a state’s potential improvement (or decline) over time, or how a state’s policies might change in the future. States with low scores might shift rapidly with an influx of resources, and states with higher scores may either backslide with a new wave of anti-democratic efforts or continue to expand access to the ballot and democratic protections in ways that can provide models for other states.
What is considered a “Negative Law”?
Negative laws are those that restrict access for voters or weaken the independence and integrity of our elections. Examples of negative laws include:
- Strict voter ID laws or proof of citizenship laws for voter registration that have burdensome documentation requirements and prevent otherwise eligible voters from participating in democracy.
- Felony disenfranchisement laws that restrict formerly incarcerated citizens from regaining their voting rights.
- Laws that increase the danger of election subversion by allowing state legislatures to interfere in traditionally nonpartisan election administration functions.
How often do you update the Democracy Maps?
Our scoring is updated in real time – meaning that as new laws pass, we will update the maps and include the new laws in the scoring and citation sheet available for each map.
However, tracking over 50 laws and policies across 50 states and D.C. is a complex task, and we sometimes miss things. If you see an area where our maps or state profiles are out of date, please email us at info@mapresearch.org.
Why does MAP do this work?
Due to the decentralized system of election administration in America, each state has a different set of policies that govern elections and voting. This leads to a landscape where a citizen’s access to the ballot box may depend simply on their zip code. The Democracy Maps track over 50 of these laws and policies in an effort to show which states are ensuring that democracy thrives, and which states are falling short. By providing in-depth policy scores by state, advocates, policymakers and the public can get a clear idea of the legislative landscape and pinpoint the gaps in voter access and the strength of democracy across the U.S.
Where can I learn more about each of these policies?
Use our “choose an issue” button within the Democracy Maps to view our issue specific maps, policy descriptors and links to additional relevant resources.
Visit our Policy and Issue Analysis page to learn more about specific issue areas or populations. For more tailored results, use the search function in the navigation bar.
For additional questions or suggestions, contact us at info@mapresearch.org.
