XpertHR Reports on the Top 10 LGBT-Employment Friendly States

NEW PROVIDENCE, New Jersey, October 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Maine, Washington State, Minnesota and Iowa are among the best places for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) individuals to work, according to a new XpertHR report (http://www.xperthr.com/pages/top-10-lgbt-employment-friendly-states/) evaluating the states offering the most progressive and friendly work environment for LGBTs. Six states in the Northeast made the list, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont, along with Washington State, Iowa, California and Minnesota.

"Although federal law does not protect LGBTs from employment discrimination, we examined states that prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, state-specific laws offering same-sex benefits, hate crime laws, and a positive working/living climate to determine the best working environments for LGBTs," says Peggy Carter-Ward, Head of Content, XpertHR.

Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity has long been a controversial issue. Fifty-two percent of the LGBT population lives in states that do not prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

While some might be surprised that Iowa made the list, it has been a leader in LGBT rights. Iowa became the first Midwestern state to recognize same-sex marriage in 2009 and it has provided benefits to same-sex partners of state employees since 2003. The same holds true for Minnesota, which was the first state to implement gender identity protections.

In the 1970s, LGBT activist Harvey Milk helped pass one of the nation's first gay rights ordinances in San Francisco in 1978. Massachusetts became the first state to permit same-sex marriage in 2003 and over 20 years ago Massachusetts permitted state employees to register as domestic partners.

XpertHR's top 10 LGBT-employment friendly states:

• California

• Connecticut

• Iowa

• Maine

• Massachusetts

• Minnesota

• New York

• Rhode Island

• Vermont

• Washington

To read the full report, visit http://www.xperthr.com/pages/top-10-lgbt-employment-friendly-states/

XpertHR.com provides compliance tools and guidance on federal, state and municipal law, helping employers stay current with evolving employment law issues. XpertHR is part of Reed Business Information.

Reed Business Information brings leading brands to an audience of millions of decisionmakers worldwide through its multi-platform media of data services, online lead generation services, community websites, magazines and events.

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Editor's note: Please link to http://www.xperthr.com/pages/top-10-lgbt-employment-friendly-states/

SOURCE XpertHR