By: Paul Goldberg – Senior Correspondent | JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics USA
LAS VEGAS, NV — (June 6, 2026) — Nevada has been ranked the safest state in America for LGBTQ residents after earning the nation’s only A+ rating in the newly released 2026 LGBTQ+ State Safety Report Cards, a comprehensive study examining legal protections, healthcare access, anti-discrimination policies, and hate crime data across all 50 states.
The report, published by SafeHome.org, awarded Nevada a score of 95.8 out of 100, nearly a full point ahead of second-place Illinois. Researchers evaluated each state using a wide range of factors impacting LGBTQ residents, including hate crime protections, healthcare access, youth protections, parenting rights, and anti-discrimination laws.
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According to the study, Nevada’s strong legal framework and expanding equality protections helped propel the Silver State to the top of the national rankings.
Nevada Leads Nation in LGBTQ Protections
The SafeHome report found that Nevada ranked among the nation’s top states for both legal protections and hate crime safeguards.
Researchers noted that Nevada achieved perfect or near-perfect scores in several categories, including:
- Non-discrimination protections
- LGBTQ parenting rights
- Youth protections
- Healthcare access
- Legal equality safeguards
Nevada received the highest overall score in the 2026 LGBTQ+ State Safety Report Cards, earning the nation’s only A+ rating.
The findings reflect years of legislative and voter-backed efforts aimed at strengthening protections for LGBTQ residents.
One of the most significant milestones occurred in 2022 when Nevada voters approved the Equality of Rights Amendment, officially adding protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to the Nevada Constitution.
Hate Crime Data Remains a Key Factor
The report also relied on data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program to evaluate anti-LGBTQ hate crimes nationwide.
While researchers noted that reported anti-LGBTQ hate crimes declined slightly compared to the previous reporting period, more than 2,500 incidents were still recorded nationwide during the latest reporting year.
The study emphasized that legal protections alone do not eliminate safety concerns but can play an important role in improving reporting, accountability, and access to resources for victims.
Nevada’s LGBTQ Community Continues to Grow
Nevada’s top ranking comes during a period of increasing visibility and recognition for LGBTQ communities throughout the state.
In 2025, legislation that would have restricted transgender student-athletes from participating in school sports failed to advance through the Nevada Legislature, preserving existing policies.
That same year, Nevada formally recognized Las Vegas’ historic Fruit Loop District as an official landmark, honoring one of the city’s most important LGBTQ cultural and entertainment corridors.
Together, these developments helped reinforce Nevada’s reputation as one of the most LGBTQ-inclusive states in the nation.
Top-Ranked States for LGBTQ Safety
The states receiving the highest overall scores in the 2026 report were:
- Nevada — 95.8
- Illinois — 94.9
- Hawaii — 94.7
- Colorado — 94.5
- Maine — 94.4
Overall, thirteen states earned an “A” grade while six states received failing grades.
Lowest-Ranked States in the Report
The states receiving the lowest scores were:
- West Virginia — 44.7
- Washington, D.C. — 50.8
- Louisiana — 51.4
- Arkansas — 56.7
- Tennessee — 56.9
Researchers noted that differences in legal protections, healthcare access, anti-discrimination laws, and hate crime reporting policies contributed significantly to the gap between top-ranked and bottom-ranked states.
Many LGBTQ Americans Would Relocate for Greater Safety
One of the report’s most striking findings revealed that 28 percent of LGBTQ Americans have considered moving to another state in search of stronger legal protections, greater equality, and improved personal safety.
The findings underscore the growing importance of state-level policies as LGBTQ Americans increasingly evaluate where they live, work, raise families, and access healthcare.
As debates over LGBTQ rights continue across the country, Nevada’s first-place ranking highlights how legal protections, healthcare access, and anti-discrimination safeguards can shape perceptions of safety and inclusion for LGBTQ residents.
For the latest LGBTQ rights developments, state policy updates, legal protections, and political news impacting LGBTQ Americans, stay connected with JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics USA.
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