Each year for the last six, the gay advocacy group Out Leadership has produced an index gauging the business climate for gay and transgender people state by state, mapping out where they can live and work with the least discrimination and hardship. Todd Sears, Out Leadership’s founder and CEO, says he was not surprised when the average score fell again in 2024 as Republicans sharpened attacks on gay and transgender rights heading into the presidential election. Out Leadership’s State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index ranks states based on how they treat the LGBTQ+ community, from government policies to prevalent attitudes. Red states are ranked as high risk for gay and transgender people, while green states are considered no risk. New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts remained at the top of the Out Leadership Index in 2024, while Arkansas received the lowest score since the index began. The largest decreases were driven by rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and state legislation restricting gay rights, including so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bills in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, and North Carolina. Looking at the statistics, Sears highlights the importance of businesses standing by the LGBTQ+ community during these challenging times. #Queer Up Business