In a concerning start to 2026, US lawmakers have already introduced more than 360 anti-LGBTQ+ bills across the country, sparking renewed fears for the rights and safety of queer and trans Americans.
According to an ongoing tracker managed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), at least 366 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been tabled in 36 states in January alone. The surge in proposals comes amid growing criticism from the public, with many Americans believing the current administration exhibits transphobic tendencies.
Republican lawmakers have increasingly used state legislatures as a platform to roll back LGBTQ+ protections, with more than 2,000 such bills submitted since 2023. While just over half have been defeated, approximately 211 have passed into law, the ACLU reported.
These legislative efforts often include restrictions on free speech, book bans, curriculum censorship, and school policies requiring educators to disclose the identities of transgender students to parents—often without consent. Many of these proposals mirror similar bills introduced in other states, forming a pattern of state-specific replications.
Several states have also implemented laws banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. By mid-2025, more than 40 per cent of trans youth aged 13–17 were living in one of 27 states that outlaw such care.
So far in 2026, 96 proposed bills have specifically targeted LGBTQ+ healthcare access. One such bill in Oklahoma would entirely prohibit certain forms of gender-affirming treatment.
The ACLU has pledged to continue opposing these measures. In a statement published on their bill tracker overview, the organisation said:
“LGBTQ+ people have a right to live in safety, to thrive, and to be treated with dignity.”
The group described the proposed laws as “cruel” and reaffirmed its commitment to advocacy.
In 2025, nearly every US state introduced at least one anti-LGBTQ+ bill, totalling 616 tracked laws. Of those, 74 became law, including a controversial Arkansas bill that permits religious groups to discriminate against individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The situation has worsened since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has signed multiple executive orders curtailing LGBTQ+ rights at the federal level.
A recent GLAAD report found a 5 per cent rise in anti-LGBTQ+ incidents last year, including vandalism and violent attacks.
Notably, Pride Month in 2025 was labelled one of the deadliest in US history, with 268 incidents recorded—a staggering 400 per cent increase compared to previous years.
GLAAD’s CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, urged political leaders to end the cycle of hostility and reaffirm every American’s right to:
“Freedom, fairness, and safety.”
