State-Level LGBTQ + Policies and Experiences of Interpersonal Discrimination among Sexual and Gender Minority People

Abstract

Objectives: To quantify the role of state-level lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+)-related policies on experiences of discrimination in a population-representative sample of partnered individuals. Methods: An adjusted multilevel random-intercept logistic regression model with individuals (level-1) nested within states (level-2) and a cross-level interaction term between gender/sexual identity and policy score was used to estimate the predicted probability of any experiences of discrimination for cisgender heterosexual, transgender and non-binary, and cisgender sexual minority respondents. Results: Experiences of discrimination in the past month were more common amongst transgender and non-binary (90.2%) respondents compared to their cisgender sexual minority (74.0%) or cisgender heterosexual (73.2%) counterparts. When compared to cisgender heterosexual respondents, the interaction term was found to be statistically significant for only transgender and non-binary (OR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.88, 0.98]) but not cisgender sexual minority respondents (OR = 0.99, 95% CI [0.97, 1.01]). Indicating that as state policy environments became more protective the odds of experiencing discrimination decreased at a more substantial rate for transgender and non-binary respondents when compared to cisgender sexual minority or cisgender heterosexual respondents. Conclusions: Transgender and non-binary individuals experience more discrimination compared to their cisgender sexual minority or cisgender heterosexual counterparts. State-level LGBTQ + policy protections amplified the relationship between gender identity and experiences of discrimination.