爆料TV

States with the fewest same-sex households

路Betsy Ladyzhets

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Today marks the first day of听, a month in which LGBT+ communities around the world honor听its history and celebrates its people. Pride also seeks to bring further recognition to the impact听that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other individuals from the vast spectrum sexual and gender identities have had on their societies. The holiday began as a day of remembrance for the , but has since expanded into a full month of events including memorials, parades, parties, and concerts. But as LGBT+ people throughout America celebrate the gains that have been made, many still face discrimination from neighbors and legislation alike, particularly as they take steps towards starting families.

While some parts of the U.S. have enacted broadly inclusive policies and protections听against discrimination, others leave their LGBT+ community members to fend for themselves. In order to paint a full picture of challenges faced by LGBT+ families, 爆料TV has examined the states with the lowest percentages of same-sex households, representing both couples 鈥斕�married and unmarried,听and families with children. Census data from the听听was used听to rank the top 25 states, and this information was supplemented with a report from the听听on demographics of LGBT+ households in each state.

Read on to find out how each state's LGBT+ community ranks, as well as information on legislation and other recent events that may make it a less-desirable location for same-sex couples to raise their families.

To find out which states have the most same-sex households, click here.

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#26. Minnesota

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.67% (14,436 out of 2,148,725)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 57.7%

Gender breakdown: 43% male, 57% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 16.5%

While much of Minnesota is rural,听. It was only the third city in the country to prohibit housing or employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, and hosts many LGBT+ centric organizations, as well as art and music events.

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#25. Oklahoma

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.67% (9,839 out of 1,469,342)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 51.7%

Gender breakdown: 41% male, 59% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 20.9%

At 20.9%, Oklahoma has one of the highest percentages of same-sex couples raising children of any state. Contrary to this clear desire to enjoy family life, the state鈥檚 governor recently signed into a law a measure that would听听on religious grounds when placing children.鈥�

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#24. New Jersey

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.66% (21,172 out of 3,194,519)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 65.1%

Gender breakdown: 46% male, 54% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 19.7%

New Jersey was听听with a court decision in 2006. The LGBT+ community has听听since that decision, but is still small in numbers compared to New York City, just across the river.

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#23. Kentucky

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.66% (11,342 out of 1,717,706)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 43.7%

Gender breakdown: 42% male, 58% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 18.5%

At the end of May, the valedictorian of a Catholic school in Crestview Hills, Ky. 鈥斕�18-year-old Christian Bales, who identifies as gay and non-gender-conforming 鈥斕�was听听because the Catholic diocese disagreed with its content, which focused on activism. He delivered his speech anyway, using a megaphone.

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#22. Pennsylvania

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.66% (32,451 out of 4,937,771)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 53.7%

Gender breakdown: 44% male, 56% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 15.9%

, an extremely conservative legislator selected as the chairman of Pennsylvania's State Government Committee, oversaw bills that sought to diminish LGBT+ rights in a state that already had few protections for them in place. He still serves in that position, despite multiple petitions calling for him to step aside after he made inappropriate comments to another legislator last winter.

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#21. Utah

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.63% (5,979 out of 943,147)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 57.4%

Gender breakdown: 45% male, 55% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 20.1%

A recent Utah Department of Health study showed that the state鈥檚 LGBT+ citizens听听than those who are heterosexual. These results echo听.

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#20. Wisconsin

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.62% (14,317 out of 2,326,998)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 51.4%

Gender breakdown: 40% male, 60% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 16.4%

Last March, Brad and Nick Schlaikowski, a gay couple in Milwaukee,听. 鈥淲e have 500 kids on the street in Milwaukee, 40% identify as LGBT,鈥� Brad Schlaikowski told NBC News.

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#19. Missouri

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.61% (14,514 out of 2,372,190)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 52.8%

Gender breakdown: 42% male, 58% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 17.3%

A Missouri legislator recently sought to outlaw same-sex marriage in the state with a proposal that would听听It is virtually impossible that the resolution will become law, but citizens are still concerned that it was even proposed.

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#18. North Carolina

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.61% (23,624 out of 3,882,423)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 52.6%

Gender breakdown: 42% male, 58% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 18.5%

Apple is currently considering the development of a new corporate hub near Raleigh, N.C. This would be a paradoxical move, as Apple has been a famous supporter of LGBT+ causes. North Carolina in general has stood against inclusivity through legislation such as an听听that prevents LGBTQ people from being protected across the state.鈥�

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#17. Tennessee

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.61% (15,472 out of 2,556,332)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 47.7%

Gender breakdown: 43% male, 57% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 18.1%

Earlier this year, Republicans in the Tennessee legislature听听in order to maintain the legal basis for a lawsuit mounted by the听听against the 2015 Supreme Court marriage decision. Tennessee is also the only state with an "LGBT Erasure Bill" which defines terms in Tennessee law according to听, thus potentially preventing same-sex couples from being legally recognized as the parents of children they are raising together.

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#16. Ohio

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.60% (27,615 out of 4,624,669)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 43.8%

Gender breakdown: 42% male, 58% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 17.7%

Since before the Supreme Court decision, LGBT+ advocates in Ohio have pushed for听听in housing, jobs, and places of public accommodation. All bills introduced have stalled so far, but state Rep. Nickie Antonio is optimistic about a current proposal the .

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#15. South Carolina

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.57% (10,651 out of 1,877,887)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 60.6%

Gender breakdown: 42% male, 58% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 18.9%

Similar to the bill proposed by a Missouri legislator, a bill recently introduced by South Carolina Republicans听called the Marriage and Constitution Restoration Act, would define all same-sex marriage in the state as 鈥減arody marriage.鈥澨齮hat the lawmakers behind this bill 鈥渂elieve that the observance of same-sex marriage rights has 鈥榚xcessively entangled鈥� the state government with secular humanism and has created an indefensible legal weapon to be used on its opponents.鈥�

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#14. Michigan

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.56% (21,579 out of 3,884,153)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 48.7%

Gender breakdown: 40% male, 60% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 18.2%

Last summer, gay YouTube comedian Elijah Daniel paid $100 to the town of Hell, Mich.听to be declared its mayor. In his first decree, he听from the town and was promptly impeached. On a more serious note, Michigan鈥檚 Civil Rights Commission has recently听听for its LGBT+ residents, and began investigating claims this past May.

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#13. Louisiana

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.55% (9,422 out of 1,720,801)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 43.8%

Gender breakdown: 41% male, 59% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 19.9%

New Orleans鈥� LGBT+ community has a听, but elsewhere in the state, communities are not so inclusive. Louisiana鈥檚 Republican lawmakers are pushing to reinstate a state law that bans听.

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#12. Idaho

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.54% (3,293 out of 610,872)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 54.2%

Gender breakdown: 33% male, 67% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 22.3%

Idaho legislators are having a hard time accepting their LGBT+ constituents. In January 2017, state Reps. Ron Nate and Stephen Hartgen argued that the听听despite the Supreme Court decision 鈥斕�and a听听in 2014. And this past January,听Nate and another legislator, Heather Scott,听听again.

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16 / 26

#11. Montana

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.52% (2,180 out of 416,125)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 49.4%

Gender breakdown: 30% male, 70% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 22.0%

Transgender and non-binary residents of Montana are currently fighting for their rights: a newly introduced bill, I-183, would require them to use restrooms not consistent with their gender identities. Kasandra Reddington, a transgender Montana resident and member of the American Civil Liberties Union, explained that such legislation would put her听

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#10. Iowa

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.52% (6,477 out of 1,247,932)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 59.4%

Gender breakdown: 39% male, 61% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 18.6%

Controversy erupted over Iowa鈥檚 branch of youth development organization 4-H this past April, when the organization began to consider a new inclusion measure to accept听听Some Christian and family-based groups questioned the policy, while 4-H leaders argued on behalf of LGBT+ students.

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#9. West Virginia

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.50% (3,627 out of 722,125)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 40.7%

Gender breakdown: 44% male, 56% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 17.8%

Last spring, the West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that听, and would not be subject to prosecution as such. This decision was made even though LGBT+ people, as a minority group, are widely targeted by hate crimes听鈥�second only to African-American听people.

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#8. South Dakota

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.49% (1,650 out of 334,003)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 37%

Gender breakdown: 31% male, 69% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 21.1%

South Dakota legislators passed a law last year that allowed religious adoption and foster care agencies to turn away potential LGBT+ parents. 鈥淭his bill proves once again that opponents of equality are听听to further their anti-LGBT agenda,鈥� said Laura E. Durso, vice president of the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress.

20 / 26

#7. Nebraska

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.46% (3,454 out of 747,562)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 58%

Gender breakdown: 42% male, 58% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 19.6%

While South Dakota recently instituted a bill challenging adoption by same-sex couples, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled last year to听听on same-sex couples becoming foster parents. The state is also notable for policies many of its companies have in place听听based on sexual orientation.

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#6. North Dakota

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.45% (1,428 out of 315,134)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 59.3%

Gender breakdown: 34% male, 66% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 21.6%

North Dakota鈥檚 legislature is not so favorable for LGBT+ inclusivity. Even though the state Senate voted to advance a non-discrimination bill in 2015,听. LGBT+ activists in the state remain optimistic; however, another non-discrimination bill has听.

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#5. Arkansas

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.45% (5,099 out of 1,142,718)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 43.7%

Gender breakdown: 41% male, 59% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 21.2%

The Arkansas Supreme Court听听in the city of Fayetteville last year. A legal battle听听as the city struggled to support its citizens.

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#4. Alabama

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.43% (7,885 out of 1,852,518)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 49.5%

Gender breakdown: 42% male, 58% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 20.4%

Patricia Todd, the first and only openly gay member of the Alabama state legislature, fought in vain against a bill that protected听听in the state. 鈥淚 practically had the sponsor in tears when we were debating this on the floor,鈥� she听.

24 / 26

#3. Kansas

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.42% (4,686 out of 1,110,407)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 61.6%

Gender breakdown: 40% male, 60% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 21.8%

The same week Oklahoma鈥檚 discriminatory adoption bill was signed this May, Kansas鈥� governor听. An art teacher in Seneca, Kan.听in April after receiving threats. In response, "The American Prospect"听published a story entitled,听

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#2. Wyoming

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.36% (816 out of 223,619)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 75.4%

Gender breakdown: 39% male, 61% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 24.7%

听for Wyoming's small LGBT+ population, but some of the state's residents are pushing for more inclusivity. Last year, after Wyoming Republican Senator Mike Enzi said that someone who wore a tutu to bars on Friday nights was "asking for" a fight, Wyoming citizens began听听鈥斕�and sending Enzi photographic evidence.

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#1. Mississippi

Percent of households that are same-sex: 0.36% (3,964 out of 1,091,245)

Percent of members of these same-sex households who are same-sex spouses: 50.2%

Gender breakdown: 38% male, 62% female

Percent of same-sex households raising children: 25.7%

In 2014,听Rolling Stone听dubbed Mississippi the听. This past January, the听听Mississippi鈥檚 Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act,听which "Gay Star News"听called听听This law allows individuals, businesses, and organizations to turn away LGBT+ individuals on the basis of religion, and allows foster families to force children into conversion therapy.