By the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and D.C. had fully decriminalized consensual adult sodomy, with several partial, local, or reversed decriminalizations remaining before nationwide decriminalization.

* January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized
* October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized
* December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only
* January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized
* January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized
* April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized
* July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized
* January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized
* July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized
* January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized
* November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized
* July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized
* July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized
* August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized
* January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized
* January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized
* May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized
* June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized
* July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized
* April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized
* May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized
* July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized
* July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized
* January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized
* March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized
* July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized
* September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized
* January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized
* May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized
* December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized
* August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized
* May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized
* August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized
* July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only
* September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized
* December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only
* March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized
* September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized
* October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized
* July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized
* June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized
* October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only
* November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized
* January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute
* June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District only
* May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — decriminalized
* July 1, 2001 — Arizona — decriminalized
* July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — decriminalized again

From January 1973 to June 2015, the legality of gay marriage in the United States varied by state. Maryland passed the first law banning marriages in 1973 with others following suit but not all. On November 18th, 2003, Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that banning same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, and their ruling came into effect on May 17th, 2004. Massachusetts was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.

Between May 17th, 2004, and June 26th, 2015, when the United States Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, 37 states and the District of Columbia legalized same-sex marriage.

Until 1973, there were no explicit bans on same-sex marriage in the United States. However, there was also no recognition provided to same-sex couples.

Beginning in 1987, there have been laws in the United States that restrict the discussion of LGBTIQ+ issues in several states. While some were repealed, a new wave of censorship laws surged in the 2020s—many targeting public education.

In June 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court escalated this trend by ruling 6–3 that public school parents must be allowed to opt their children out of any classroom instruction involving LGBTQ+ themes based on religious objections. This ruling opens the door for widespread censorship of LGBTQ+ content in schools across the country—even where no formal “Don’t Say Gay” laws exist. It empowers religious and political backlash to silence LGBTQ+ voices and erases queer and trans people from curricula under the guise of parental rights. However, there is nothing preventing parents from allowing their children to learn about LGBTIQ+ topics on the federal level.

Advocates warn this decision will have chilling effects nationwide, forcing schools to preemptively exclude LGBTQ+ stories, families, and identities to avoid conflict – turning inclusive education into a political minefield and putting LGBTQ+ youth at greater risk of isolation, stigma, and harm.

Until 1987, there were no known laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in United States education.

Historically, however, there have been several bans in the United States on cross-dressing that criminalized the gender expression of transgender people. Most of these ordinances have been revoked and the ones still in law have not been enforced.

As of 2022, all passports are able to get a gender marker X on the US State website or in person. Social Security will be able to change the name as well, unknown of the date when allowed. Check any of the states for Drivers ID or Birth certificates.

Many U.S. jurisdictions require gender-affirming surgery before a person's legal sex can be changed. However, a health professional's certification may be necessary. It is essential to consult the specific laws and guidelines of your state for accurate information on the legal requirements for changing gender markers and identity documents.

From a Federal standpoint, you can change your gender with proof that you have undergone treatment for a gender change (surgery no longer required in any agency as of June 2013). However, states also have their own laws on gender recognition.

Until 2021, there were no known state-level legal restrictions on gender-affirming care for adults or for minors anywhere in the United States.

In June 2025, U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick blocked President Trump’s January executive order, Executive Order 14168, thereby allowing individuals to select a gender marker of “X” at the federal level on passports. However, at the state level, only some states allow individuals to select "X" as their gender marker on official documents.

In his first hours in office, Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to only recognize two sexes: “Male” and “Female”. The order also directed federal agencies to eliminate the use of "gender" in federal documents and guidelines, including an instruction to the Secretary of State to discontinue the use and option of X gender markers in passports moving forward, but not retroactively invalidating passports.

On January 23rd, 2025, the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, ordered the U.S. state department to freeze all applications for passports that had requested an ‘X’ on their gender marker.

Other IDs are still state dependent, and there are many states in the U.S. that recognize third gender identities.

Between April 11th, 2022, and January 22nd, 2025, the United States allowed people to have an X gender on their passports at a national level.

On June 15th, 2017, Oregon officials voted yes to allowing the legal representation of non-binary people. On July 3rd, 2017, this option became available to the public.

Before July 3rd, 2017, no US states legally recognized non-binary people.

From April 23, 1990 onward, the Hate Crime Statistics Act required the United States Attorney General, carried out through the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting program, to collect and publish annual national data on crimes showing prejudice based on sexual orientation.

SOGIE = Sexual orientation, gender identity or expression
H = Hate crime statutes
D = Data collection statutes
L = Law enforcement training statutes

* July 26, 2009 — Washington (WA) — GIE H + D + L
* June 30, 2008 — New Jersey (NJ) — GIE H + D + L
* June 25, 2008 — District of Columbia (DC) — GIE H + D
* January 1, 2008 — Oregon (OR) — GI H + D
* November 15, 2007 — Pennsylvania (PA) — SOGI H expansion struck down in Marcavage v. Rendell
* October 1, 2005 — Maryland — SOGI H + D + L
* July 1, 2005 — Colorado — SOGI H + D
* October 1, 2004 — Connecticut (CT) — GI H + D + L
* July 1, 2003 — Indiana — SO D
* July 1, 2003 — New Mexico — SOGI H + D + L
* April 22, 2003 — Hawaii (HI) — GIE H + D
* December 31, 2002 — Massachusetts (MA) — SO H + D + L
* December 3, 2002 — PA — SOGI H
* October 31, 2002 — New York (NY) — SO H + D + L
* September 1, 2002 — Texas (TX) — SO H + D + L
* August 30, 2002 — NJ — SO H + D + L
* July 1, 2002 — Iowa (IA); Louisiana (LA); Arizona (AZ) — SO H + D + L
* July 1, 2002 — Nebraska (NE) — SO H + D
* January 1, 2002 — Illinois (IL) — SO H + D + L
* January 1, 2002 — New Hampshire (NH); Kansas — SO H
* September 1, 2001 — TX — SO D + L
* July 1, 2001 — HI — SO H + D
* September 1, 2000 — NY — SO H + D + L
* July 1, 2000 — Tennessee — SO H
* August 28, 1999 — Missouri — SOGI H
* July 1, 1999 — Vermont — SOGI H
* January 1, 1999 — California (CA) — GIE H + D + L
* July 20, 1998 — Rhode Island (RI) — SO H + D + L
* July 15, 1998 — Kentucky — SO H
* September 13, 1997 — NE — SO H + D
* August 15, 1997 — LA; AZ — SO H + D + L
* July 18, 1997 — Delaware — SO H
* October 1, 1995 — Nevada — SO H + D
* By January 1, 1994 — RI — SO D + L
* October 1, 1993 — Maine — SO H + D + L
* July 25, 1993 — WA — SO H + D + L
* August 1, 1993 — Minnesota (MN) — GI H + D + L
* March 30, 1992 — Michigan — SO D
* July 1, 1992 — IA — SO H + D + L
* September 21, 1991 — AZ — SO D + L
* October 1, 1991 — Florida — SO H + D
* March 28, 1991 — MA — SO D + L
* January 1, 1991 — NH — SO H
* January 1, 1991 — IL — SO H + L
* December 19, 1990 — Chicago, IL — SO H
* October 1, 1990 — CT — SO H + D + L
* May 8, 1990 — DC — SO H + D
* April 23, 1990 — Federal — SO D
* January 1, 1990 — CA — SO D + L
* September 29, 1989 — OR — SO H + D
* August 1, 1989 — MN — SO H
* August 1, 1988 — MN — SO D + L
* May 3, 1988 — Wisconsin — SO H
* January 1, 1988 — CA — SO H + L
* January 1, 1985 — CA — SO civil hate-violence protection only

In all Federal positions, discrimination based on sexual orientation is against the law in instances related to work and employment. In non-federal government jobs, it is based on the state's laws as no federal protections currently exist for non-employees. Additionally, even federal employees could face discrimination unrelated to work in areas of life such as housing, health care, etc. In fact, many groups are advocating the repeal of protections or the introduction of laws to permit discrimination.

On June 15th, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, classified as sex discrimination.

President Trump's Department of Justice and the EEOC revoked protections for gender identity in employment discrimination.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ruled that “[A]llegations of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation necessarily state a claim of discrimination on the basis of sex”, and are barred by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This ruling applies at both the state and federal levels.

In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination).

Before the 2012 EEOC decision, there were no federal discrimination protections for LGBT people in employment.

From July 6, 2025 onward, Coast Guard Reserve and Regular Coast Guard service members who were eligible for voluntary separation but did not elect or complete it, and who either have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria and do not receive a waiver, or have a history of cross-sex hormone therapy or sex reassignment or genital reconstruction surgery in connection with a sex transition, are placed into the involuntary administrative separation process.

From June 7, 2025 onward, Active Guard Reserve, Marine Corps Active Reserve, Regular Air Force, Regular Army, Regular Marine Corps, and Regular Space Force service members who were eligible for voluntary separation but did not elect or complete it, and who either have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria and do not receive a waiver, or have a history of cross-sex hormone therapy or sex reassignment or genital reconstruction surgery in connection with a sex transition, are placed into the involuntary administrative separation process.

On May 8, 2025, the United States Department of Defense (USDoD) began initiating administrative separation proceedings for service members who had already identified themselves for voluntary separation before March 26, 2025. On the same date, it reinstated the ban on transgender enlistment by directing that applicants who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria and do not receive a waiver, or who have a history of cross-sex hormone therapy or sex reassignment or genital reconstruction surgery in connection with a sex transition, are denied entry into military service.

On May 9, 2025, the USDoD ended all surgical procedures related to sex reassignment for service members with gender dysphoria. All such procedures—whether planned, scheduled, or not yet scheduled—were canceled, and any previously approved SHCP waivers for these surgeries were revoked. New waiver requests are no longer processed, except in cases involving the necessary treatment of surgical complications, which require special review.

Service members aged 19 or older who were already receiving cross-sex hormone therapy prior to this memorandum may continue treatment temporarily if a provider deems it necessary to prevent harm, but only until their separation is completed. Moving forward, USDoD funding cannot be used to initiate any new hormone therapy treatments for gender dysphoria, though military department leaders may request case-by-case exceptions for non-surgical care if needed to protect a service member’s health, subject to review and approval.

Also on May 9, 2025, the USDoD directed military educational institution libraries to use a standardized set of subject-heading searches to identify post-2010 books potentially associated with “gender ideology,” transgender-related topics, and other targeted concepts, sequester those materials from normal access by May 21, 2025, and hold them for expert review and possible later disposition.

On May 15, 2025, the United States Coast Guard resumed implementation of its transgender service policy by immediately pausing new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria and pausing planned, scheduled, or unscheduled medical procedures related to gender transition.

By May 21, 2025, the US Naval Academy had returned all but about 20 of the 381 books removed on March 31–April 1, 2025, to its shelves, while US Air Force libraries, including the US Air Force Academy, had also pulled a few dozen books for review.

On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard formally made members and applicants with gender dysphoria who did not receive a waiver ineligible for service and subject to separation or disqualification, while allowing temporary continuation of some preexisting hormone therapy until separation.

On June 6, 2025, US Coast Guard restored the Civil Rights Awards Program after completing a review and updating the Civil Rights Manual.

On the evening of March 18th, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked the implementation of Trump's executive order banning transgender people from the military. The judge said that not only was the order unconstitutional but “a solution in search of a problem.”.

On January 27th, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military.
On February 10th, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth filed in court a memo relating to President Trump’s executive order from the previous month.

From then until March 18th, 2025, The U.S. military prohibited transgender individuals from enlisting and ceased providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.

In 2021, former President Joe Biden removed then-former President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military.

The Trump administration enacted a new policy barring individuals with a "condition" known as "gender dysphoria." from serving in the military.

In 2011, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed by the Obama Administration. Former President Obama allowed members who were dishonorably discharged under DADT, to receive an honorable discharge.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell was the historic compromise signed by President Bill Clinton authorizing people who are LGBT to serve in the military provided they didn't disclose sexuality. The law also removed the ability for others in the military from asking for a service member's orientation.

From May 19, 1941 until September 20, 2011, LGB people were banned from enlistment and service in the United States Army, US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps, and US Navy, and, beginning September 18, 1947, in the Air Force. From October 1, 1982, to September 19, 2011, when homosexuality was the sole basis for separation and no aggravating circumstances were present, the characterization of service was determined by the member’s overall record and could be Honorable or General (under honorable conditions), with entry-level cases receiving an uncharacterized separation.

By May 17, 1963, in the United States Army; by 1982, in the United States Air Force; from March 31, 1986, on a U.S. Department of Defense-wide accession basis covering the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and, by agreement, the United States Coast Guard; by August 12, 2005, in the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps; and by April 29, 2011, in the United States Coast Guard, transgender people were banned from enlistment and service until open service was authorized on June 30, 2016.

By February 22, 1956, in the United States Coast Guard; by February 10, 1961, in the United States Army; by January 11, 1962, in an Air Force-specific accession standard; from March 31, 1986, on a Department of Defense-wide accession basis covering the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and, by agreement, the Coast Guard; and, from December 20, 2019, in the United States Space Force through inherited Air Force and DoD standards, applicants with intersex-related conditions identified in military rules as “hermaphroditism,” and later as “hermaphroditism, pseudohermaphroditism, or pure gonadal dysgenesis,” were disqualified from accession under military medical standards.

From April 2, 1513, when Spain first named and claimed La Florida, until September 4, 1886, the history of homosexuality in the militaries of lands that are now the United States was mostly a history of punishment for same-sex acts rather than regulation of “homosexuality” as a modern identity. In the Spanish sphere, the legal background of empire in the Americas included the Siete Partidas tradition, under which sodomy was treated as a grave offense, so the Spanish military world in Florida and elsewhere in Spanish North America operated within a legal order that criminalized such conduct. In the French sphere, sodomy was likewise criminal under the ancien-régime monarchy, and scholarship on New France shows that this was not just theoretical: in 1648 a French military drummer in the colony was convicted in a sodomy case. In the Dutch colony of New Netherland, metropolitan Dutch law punished sodomy severely, and after the English conquest the Duke of York’s Laws of March 1, 1665 imposed the English-style death penalty for sodomy in the conquered colony. In the English and then British colonies more broadly, anti-sodomy law was entrenched early; Virginia had such a law by May 24, 1610, and the wider British imperial military culture treated buggery as a capital or infamous offense. New Sweden fit the same broader punitive pattern, because Sweden’s 1608 secular law criminalized sodomy, even if a colony-specific military rule is not clearly preserved in the same way.

After independence, the United States left a clearer military paper trail. The first clearly documented U.S. military case is Lieutenant Frederick Gotthold Enslin, court-martialed in the Continental Army on March 10, 1778 for “attempting to commit sodomy” and then expelled under George Washington’s authority. By 1805, historians have identified the earliest recorded U.S. Navy sodomy accusation aboard USS Constitution, a case that also touched the early Marine Corps. In lands that later passed through Mexico, the legal picture eventually diverged somewhat from the older Spanish pattern: scholarship on Mexico’s first national penal code says the 1871 code, effective 1872, did not expressly criminalize consensual same-sex acts, though that did not amount to a modern military “open service” regime. The Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, though not part of the continental United States and not annexed until later, belongs on the punitive side: its Penal Code of June 21, 1850 criminalized sodomy. Russia is mostly outside “USA proper” because its North American empire centered on Alaska, but Russian law also criminalized sodomy before the United States acquired Alaska in 1867. Canada, strictly speaking, did not colonize the continental United States as Canada; for the future U.S., the relevant earlier colonial powers were chiefly France and Britain, whose military and civil legal traditions already punished same-sex acts. By the time Chiricahua Apache military independence ended at Skeleton Canyon on Sept

The FDA announced changes to the blood donor eligibility policy in April 2020, reducing the MSM deferral period from 12 months to 3 months. The change came amid the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, where blood was needed urgently.

After a series of recommendations, the FDA has moved to a 12 months deferral.

Starting in 1983, the United States implemented a full ban on blood donations from gay men. The primary justification for the ban was the perceived high risk of HIV transmission, with health regulators identifying men who have sex with men (MSM) as a significant risk to the safety of the blood supply.

Until 2013, the age of consent varied by state in the United States.