- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✖ State-enforced
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires surgery
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
Recent studies in Arkansas show a discernible level of opposition to LGBTQ+ rights among the population.
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Homosexual activity in Arkansas is legal.
Current status
Since 2002
Legal
In Arkansas in 2002 there was a state supreme court hearing about homosexual activities (sodomy), about a 1977 law that forbid the acts. It was overturned, and it is now currently legal. Supreme Court ruled in 2003 that homosexual acts are legal, and any imprisonment with the 1977 law would be released.
Illegal (other penalty)
In 1977 Sodomy was illegal in all 50 states, Arkansas had laws against sodomy. Sodomy was defined as homosexual acts, laws where repelled when the supreme court took on a case from 2002, Lawrence v. Texas. Supreme court ruled that all forms of punishment by sodomy was illegal, and homosexual acts are legal.
Same-sex marriage in Arkansas is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 26, 2015
Legal
The US Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide.
Banned
In 1997, a law was passed restricting marriages to different-sex couples in Arkansas, effectively banning same-sex marriage.
On November 2nd, 2004, the ban became a constitutional clause and it did not matter where a same-sex couple was married. Arkansas stated that all such marriages were void in the eyes of the state.
On November 2nd, 2004, the ban became a constitutional clause and it did not matter where a same-sex couple was married. Arkansas stated that all such marriages were void in the eyes of the state.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Arkansas is state-enforced.
Current status
Since Mar 14, 2023
State-enforced
Mentioning gender identity or sexual orientation to students before grade 5 is banned.
Until Mar 14, 2023
No censorship
LGBTQ discussion allowed in all schools, in some contexts, parents get permission slips to decide whether their student will be part of a lesson.
Right to change legal gender in Arkansas is legal, but requires surgery.
Current status
Since Apr 13, 1995
Legal, but requires surgery
Arkansas will amend after receipt of a court order verifying that they have undergone sex-reassignment surgery and that their names have been changed.
Gender-affirming care in Arkansas is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 20, 2023
Legal
The "SAFE Act" was struck down by a federal judge, legalizing transition for any medically approved age.
However, healthcare professionals are allowed to decline gender transition procedures if it is "against their religious views".
However, healthcare professionals are allowed to decline gender transition procedures if it is "against their religious views".
Legal, but banned for minors
The state legislature passed the "Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act." This law prohibits any person under 18 from receiving gender-affirming care. The law passed despite a gubernatorial veto. This was the first ever bill passed in the United States that outlawed gender-affirming care for people under the age of 18.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Arkansas is not legally recognized.
Current status
Since Oct 2023
Not legally recognized
Recognized
Arkansas rolled out its gender policy quietly in 2010. "Our official policy is to allow a licensee to change their gender as requested, no questions asked, no documentation required." -former Assistant Commissioner of Operations and Administration Mike Munns.
Arkansas residents were thus able to change their marker on their driver's license (including to an X) since 2010, but this has only started being known since 2018.
Arkansas residents were thus able to change their marker on their driver's license (including to an X) since 2010, but this has only started being known since 2018.
LGBT discrimination in Arkansas is no protections.
Current status
No protections
LGBTQ Discrimination rights for employment are protected federally under Supreme court rulling in 2020, however states still are obligated to their own laws. Meaning states can still pass protection laws or not. Arkansas has no known protections.
LGBT employment discrimination in Arkansas is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jun 15, 2020
Sexual orientation only
President Trump's Department of Justice and the EEOC revoked protections for gender identity in employment discrimination.
Sexual orientation and gender identity
No statewide protections exist, and in 2015, the state legislature passed "The Intrastate Commerce Improvement Act", banning counties or cities from enacting any anti-discrimination ordinances. 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.
Gender identity only
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). No statewide protections exist.
LGBT housing discrimination in Arkansas is no protections.
Current status
No protections
This state does not provide any legal protections from discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identification.
However, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
However, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
Same-sex adoption in Arkansas is legal.
Current status
Since Apr 7, 2011
Legal
Originally banned in a measure on a ballot, but Arkansas Supreme Court Overruled. Any unmarried individual may petition for adoption, and any married individuals must petition jointly before the court. While the Supreme Court of Arkansas has struck down bans to limit same-sex adoption on privacy grounds, all adoption cases are handled on a case by case basis before a lower court judge. Lower courts have a history of hostile rulings for same-sex adoptive parents as displayed in Larson v. Larson, 902 S.W.2d 254 (App. 1995).
Intersex infant surgery in Arkansas is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Arkansas has not made an attempt to ban intersex infant surgeries, hospitals may offer it under DSDs. Intersex is also classed under Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) and may not be offered unless it's medically necessary like giving the child medical issues that need to be addressed, like endangering the child's life span.
Additionally, the Arkansas ban on gender-affirming care for minors allows for genital surgery on intersex infants.
Additionally, the Arkansas ban on gender-affirming care for minors allows for genital surgery on intersex infants.
Serving openly in military in Arkansas is legal.
Current status
Since Mar 18, 2025
Legal under federal United States law
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.”.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth filed in court a memo on February 10th, 2025 relating to President Trump’s executive order from the previous month.
From now on, The U.S. military will prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting, and will cease providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.
From now on, The U.S. military will prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting, and will cease providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.
Legal under federal United States law
President Joe Biden removed former President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, and transgender people are still allowed to serve as of 2025.
In January of 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military. However, before his executive order can take effect, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth needs to submit a plan on how the military will implement the order.
In January of 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military. However, before his executive order can take effect, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth needs to submit a plan on how the military will implement the order.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
The Trump administration enacted a new policy barring individuals with a "condition" known as "gender dysphoria." from serving in the military.
Legal under federal United States law
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 under federal United States law
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.
Blood donations by MSMs in Arkansas is legal.
Current status
Since May 11, 2023
Legal under federal United States law
The new FDA policy on blood donation eliminates deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM). Prospective donors will be asked the same set of questions regardless of their sex or sexual orientation.
Banned (less than 6-month deferral) under federal United States law
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.
Banned (1-year deferral) under federal United States law
After a series of recommendations, the FDA has moved to a 12 months deferral.
Banned (indefinite deferral) under federal United States law
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.
Conversion therapy in Arkansas is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Conversion Therapy is currently legal. No law currently bans it, despite organizations such as the American Psychological Association denouncing it.
Equal age of consent in Arkansas is equal.
Current status
Since 2001
Equal
Equal age of consent is 16.
United States Equality Rank
#160
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Arkansas LGBT Organizations
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