State by state

No statewide LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination law · several restrictions in effect

In effect now

• Defining sex in state law (SB 79). Signed Feb. 13, 2025 and in effect since Oct. 1, 2025. Writes "male" and "female" into state code as based on biological sex at birth.
• Gender-affirming care for minors (SB 184, 2022). Makes it a felony for a doctor to prescribe puberty blockers or hormones, or perform surgery, for gender transition for anyone under 19.
• Schools (HB 322, 2022). K-12 students must use multi-person restrooms and locker rooms matching their original birth certificate. Bars classroom instruction or discussion on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-5.
• Sports. Trans girls barred from girls' K-12 teams (2021); expanded to college teams (HB 261, 2023).
• Local protections. Birmingham has a city nondiscrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Most of the state has none.

On your Nov. 3 ballot

Four statewide constitutional amendments. Amendment 3 would require schools to recite the Pledge daily and allow student-led prayer; Amendment 4 would require the national anthem weekly. Read the official plain-language statements at the Secretary of State. See Vote 2026.

Local help

• ACLU of Alabama
• Alabama Equality
• Magic City Acceptance Center (LGBTQ+ youth, Birmingham)

Mixed · every anti-LGBTQ bill failed in 2026

2026 session

Georgia Equality reports that all of the roughly 15 anti-LGBTQ bills filed this year were defeated when the session ended April 3, including HB 54 (gender-affirming care), SB 74 (criminal penalties for librarians), SB 497 (forced outing of students) and HB 104 and HB 267 (sports). The legislature does not meet again in regular session until 2027.

In effect now

• SB 140 (2023) bans hormone therapy and surgery for gender transition for minors.
• No statewide LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination law; some cities, including Atlanta, have local ordinances.

Georgia Equality

Restrictive · one major bill passed in 2026

2026 session

The "Anti-Diversity in Local Government" bill (HB 1001 / SB 1134) passed, 77-37 in the House, and went to Gov. DeSantis. It pressures cities and counties to pull back from programs that recognize or fund LGBTQ residents and other groups. Equality Florida reports four other anti-LGBTQ bills were stopped or neutralized, including a Pride flag ban and a "Don't Say Gay or Trans at Work" bill.

In effect now

Florida has one of the longest lists of restrictions in the region, covering schools, health care for minors and adults, and more. Equality Florida keeps the full list.

Equality Florida

Restrictive · marriage and workplace bills moved in 2026

2026 session

• HB 1473 / SB 1746 says private people and organizations are not required to recognize same-sex marriages. It does not stop the state from issuing licenses, which the Supreme Court still requires.
• "Banning Bostock Act" (HB 1472 / SB 1745) would keep state anti-discrimination law from covering sexual orientation or gender identity, mostly affecting employers with fewer than 15 workers.
• Bills on Pride flags in government buildings, pronouns for state employees and limits on doctors discussing gender identity with minors also advanced. Advocates urged a veto of the package in May.

Final status of each bill: check the Tennessee Equality Project. We will update this entry as we confirm each one.

In effect now

SB 1 (2023) bans gender-affirming care for minors. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld it in United States v. Skrmetti in June 2025, which cleared the way for similar laws across the South.

No new anti-LGBTQ laws in 2026

Lawmakers filed about 10 anti-LGBTQ bills and passed none, according to Queer Kentucky. Earlier restrictions on care for minors and sports remain in place.

Fairness Campaign

Being reviewed for 2026

We have not finished confirming this year's changes in these states, so we are not summarizing them yet. Until then, the MAP maps and these groups are reliable:

• ACLU of Mississippi
• Equality NC
• Forum for Equality (Louisiana)
• Campaign for Southern Equality (whole region, including South Carolina)