LGBTQ rights in Rhode Island

LGBTQ rights in Rhode Island
StatusLegal since 1998
Gender identityTransgender people allowed to change legal gender
Discrimination protectionsProtections for sexual orientation and gender identity or expression
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsCivil unions since 2011;
Same-sex marriage since 2013
AdoptionSame-sex couples allowed to adopt

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Rhode Island have the same legal rights as non-LGBTQ people.[1] Rhode Island established two types of major relationship recognition for same-sex couples, starting with civil unions on July 1, 2011, and then on August 1, 2013 with same-sex marriage. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is outlawed within the state namely in the areas of employment, housing, healthcare and public accommodations. In addition, conversion therapy on minors has been banned since 2017.

Rhode Island is frequently referred to as one of the United States' most LGBTQ-friendly states.[2] Opinion polls have shown that a large majority of Rhode Islanders support same-sex marriage and LGBT rights.[3] 2017 polling from the Public Religion Research Institute showed that 78% of Rhode Island respondents supported same-sex marriage.

  1. ^ Theil, Michele (2024-02-02). "Groundbreaking map shows which US states are the least safe for LGBTQ+ people". PinkNews. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  2. ^ "The best and worst states for LGBT equality". MSNBC. Archived from the original on 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2018-02-24.
  3. ^ "The American Values Atlas: Rhode Island". PRRI. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2024.