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Surveys in Georgia have shown mixed views towards LGBTQ+ rights and issues.

Perception of LGBTQ+ People

Survey results from 11 LGBTQ+ Equaldex users who lived in or visited Georgia.

Overall

Overall

Perceived Safety*

Feel safe being open
Absence of verbal harassment
Absence of threats and violence
*Survey results represent personal perceptions of safety and may not be indicative of current actual conditions.

Equal Treatment

Treatment by peers
Treatment by family
Treatment at work
Treatment at school
Treatment by general public
Treatment by businesses
Treatment by law enforcement
Treatment by religious groups

Visibility & Representation

Inclusion in education
Representation in entertainment
Representation in news
Political support
Out public figures

Culture

Pride/events
Nightlife
Dating life
Interest groups and clubs

Services

Health and wellness
Gender-affirming care
Support and social services
Advocacy and legal

History

Homosexual activity in Georgia

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Homosexual activity in Georgia is legal.

Current status
Since Nov 23, 1998
Legal
Powell v. The State, Supreme Court of Georgia (1998).
Sources:
Powell v. State of Georgia, S98A0755, 270 Ga. 327, 510 S.E. 2d 18 (1998). caselaw.findlaw.com/ga-supr…
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Same-sex marriage in Georgia

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Same-sex marriage in Georgia is legal.

Current status
Since Jun 26, 2015
Legal
The US Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide.
Nov 2, 2004–Jun 26, 2015
Banned
Same-sex marriages and civil unions are prohibited in Georgia. Marriages between people of the same sex are not entitled the status of marriage. Foreign same-sex marriages also stand void here and are not covered by the jurisdiction, whatsoever be the circumstances.
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Until Nov 1, 2004
Unrecognized
Until 2004, there was no law explicitly banning same-sex marriage in Georgia, although there was also no legal recognition provided to same-sex couples.
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Georgia

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Georgia is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Georgia, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
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Right to change legal gender in Georgia

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Right to change legal gender in Georgia is legal, but requires surgery.

Current status
Since Nov 1, 1982
Legal, but requires surgery
Legal gender recognition was formally codified into state law with the comprehensive rewrite of the vital records chapter under Ga. L. 1982, p. 723. Currently codified at Ga. Code Ann. § 31-10-23(e), the statute explicitly mandates that the state registrar amend the sex on a birth certificate upon receipt of a certified court order. This court order must conclusively verify that the individual's sex has been "changed by surgical procedure" and that their legal name has been updated. To execute this administrative change, the applicant must submit the court order and a medical certification featuring the physician's original signature to the State Office of Vital Records. Despite this strictly medicalized and judicial framework, the statute guarantees privacy by ensuring that the newly issued birth certificates are not marked as "amended."
Until Oct 31, 1982
Illegal
Georgia law provided no explicit statutory provisions or established administrative procedures enabling transgender individuals to alter the gender marker on their civil status records. The civil registry operated without a formalized legal pathway, preventing the official correction of identification documents.

Gender-affirming care in Georgia

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Gender-affirming care in Georgia is legal, but restricted for minors.

Current status
Since Jul 1, 2023
Legal, but restricted for minors
SB 140 Bans HRT and surgery for minors however, minors are still permitted to be treated with puberty blockers. Adults are still able to receive care under explicit medicaid coverage in the state. Doctors and Hospitals, are at the Georgia State Medical boards hands if they do proceed with gender affirming care of an minor.
Until Jun 30, 2023
Legal
Until 2023, there were no known legal restrictions on gender affirming care in Georgia, including for minors.

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Georgia

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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Georgia is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
Georgia does not legally recognize a third gender.
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Hate crime protections in Georgia

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Hate crime protections in Georgia is sexual orientation and gender identity.

Current status
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Georgia law provides hate crime protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. (Gender is interpreted as gender identity in the state of Georgia)

LGBT discrimination in Georgia

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LGBT discrimination in Georgia is varies by region.

Current status
Varies by Region
There are no statewide legal protections however, select local municipalities have non-discrimination ordinances under varied context.
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LGBT employment discrimination in Georgia

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LGBT employment discrimination in Georgia is sexual orientation and gender identity.

Current status
Since Jun 15, 2020
Sexual orientation and gender identity
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.
Oct 5, 2017–Jun 14, 2020
Sexual orientation only
President Trump's Department of Justice and the EEOC revoked protections for gender identity in employment discrimination. No protections exist at the state level.
Jul 16, 2015–Oct 4, 2017
Sexual orientation and gender identity
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. No statewide protections exist.
Apr 20, 2012–Jul 15, 2015
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 protections exist at the state level.
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Until Apr 19, 2012
No protections
Before the 2012 EEOC ruling, no statewide or federal protections existed for LGBT people from discrimination in employment.
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LGBT housing discrimination in Georgia

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LGBT housing discrimination in Georgia is varies by region.

Current status
Varies by Region
There are no statewide legal protections however, select local municipalities have non-discrimination ordinances which protect individuals from housing discrimination.
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Same-sex adoption in Georgia

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Same-sex adoption in Georgia is married couples only.

Current status
Since Jun 26, 2017
Married couples only
Single-parent and joint-parent adoption is legal for any adult pursuant Official Code of Georgia §19-8-3.

However, no appellate court case law or statutes dictate legality of same-sex second-parent adoption, which means ruling has varied by county and judge.
Sources:
https;//www.lambdalegal.org/states-region/georgia
OC GA §19-8-3
www.familyequality.org/wp-c…
www.lgbtmap.org/equality-ma…
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Intersex infant surgery in Georgia

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Intersex infant surgery in Georgia is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Georgia allows intersex infant surgeries specifically in their GAC ban for minors.
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Serving openly in military in Georgia

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Serving openly in military in Georgia is lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.

Current status
Since Jul 8, 2025
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law

From July 8, 2025 onward, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard of the United States, Army National Guard of the United States, United States Army Reserve, and United States Navy Reserve 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 the effective date of separation, service will be characterized as honorable in every case unless circumstances justify a different designation. Enlisted members will receive a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of JFF (Secretarial Plenary Authority), under which the Secretary may direct separation when it is determined to be in the best interest of the service, while officers will receive an SPD code of JDK (Military Personnel Security Program), based on a determination that continued service is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security. The use of SPD code JDK is not intended, by itself, to trigger incident reporting or security clearance revocation, and gender dysphoria alone does not require reporting under Security Executive Agent Directive 3. All service members will receive a reentry code of RE-3, indicating they are not fully qualified for reentry or continued service without a waiver.
Jul 6, 2025–Jul 8, 2025
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
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.
Jun 7, 2025–Jul 6, 2025
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
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.
May 8, 2025–Jun 7, 2025
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
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.
Mar 18, 2025–May 7, 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.”.
Feb 7, 2025–Mar 17, 2025
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
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.
Apr 30, 2021–Feb 6, 2025
Legal under federal United States law
In 2021, former President Joe Biden removed then-former President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military.
Apr 11, 2019–Apr 29, 2021
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.
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Sep 20, 2011–Apr 11, 2019
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.
Feb 28, 1994–Sep 19, 2011
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.
Sources:
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-…
catalog.archives.gov/id/122244870 *official document for DADT signed by Former President Clinton*
gao.gov/assets/nsiad-92-98.pdf *study from 1992 to 1998*
www.history.com/news/dont-a…
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May 19, 1941–Feb 27, 1994
Illegal under federal United States law
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.

Blood donations by MSMs in Georgia

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Blood donations by MSMs in Georgia 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.
Apr 2, 2020–May 10, 2023
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.
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Dec 21, 2015–Apr 1, 2020
Banned (1-year deferral) under federal United States law
After a series of recommendations, the FDA has moved to a 12 months deferral.
1983–Dec 20, 2015
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.
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Conversion therapy in Georgia

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Conversion therapy in Georgia is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Georgia government passed “negative law” protecting conversion therapy from any bans.
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Equal age of consent in Georgia

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Equal age of consent in Georgia is equal.

Current status
Since Nov 23, 1998
Equal
In 1998, Georgia’s law against homosexuality was declared unconstitutional, equalizing the age of consent in the process.
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