March

Since the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalizing same-sex marriage, the U.S. has grown increasingly divided over LGBTQIA+ rights. Red states have enacted laws restricting gender-affirming care, pronoun use in schools, and trans youth participation in sports, while blue states have expanded civil rights and access to affirming healthcare. We examined how this divide has deepened, especially with Trump’s 2024 executive orders aligning federal policy with red-state positions. Despite progress in half the states, a growing number of anti-LGBTQIA+ laws mean vastly different realities depending on where one lives. This stark contrast raises urgent questions about states’ rights, federal power, and the future of equality in America.