Thirteen States Received a Failing Grade for LGBTIQ Safety

As Pride Month begins, thirteen states have received a failing grade for LGBTIQ safety, 'based on their high number of discriminatory laws and hate crimes,' according to a new report by SafeHome.

As Pride Month begins, thirteen states have received a failing grade for LGBTIQ safety, “based on their high number of discriminatory laws and hate crimes,” according to a new report by SafeHome.org.

The report takes into account local and state legislation and “analyzed the latest criminal statistics to comprehensively rank the relative safety of LGBTQ+ individuals within every state.” Florida scored the lowest, and “four of the worst five scores located in the nation’s Deep South.”

The report on LGBTIQ safety comes as communities around the country are celebrating Pride Month, with LGBTIQ themed events taking place in numerous cities. However, organizers of Pride events have placed a significant focus on safety and security, as far right activists and groups are targeting LGBTIQ themed events.

Far right anti-LGBTIQ activists, including Shannon Adcock (chair of the DuPage County chapter of Moms for Liberty and head of Awake Illinois), have targeted the Beverly Branch of the Chicago Public Library for hosting a drag queen story hour on Tuesday, June 3rd at 10:00am.

Christian Maxwell, Republican candidate for Illinois' 1st Congressional District, called for the event to be canceled, and Tedora Brown, Republican candidate for Illinois' 11th Congressional District, demanded that anyone participating should be arrested. In response, various local grassroots activist groups are mobilizing a counter-protest and community defense of the library.

In Salina, Kansas, local law enforcement were "were sent to the Temple on two occasions," responding to complaints "lodged against two men with a loud speaker who were preaching against the sin of homosexuality."