State Laws
Whether you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or straight-supportive, your state’s laws probably have a major impact on your life. State laws govern everything from the legal status of relationships between same-sex partners to the ability of transgender people to list their correct gender identity on their birth certificates. The Human Rights Campaign works with state leaders to advance the rights of LGBT people across the nation, from Alabama to Wyoming.
Here you can learn about the current laws affecting LGBT issues in your state, as well as state legislation — upcoming bills that could change the way you live. You can also learn more about what’s going on in your state and find out about local news, elections and volunteer opportunities.
Select a State
State Laws can be filtered by state or you can view the full list of Laws by selecting "All State Laws."
Massachusetts Surrogacy Law
Massachusetts statutes are silent with regard to surrogacy agreements, but various cases have looked favorably on such agreements, although no case has addressed the issue with regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence by providing the department with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
Michigan Adoption Law
Michigan Birth Certificate Law: Gender Identity Issues
Michigan will issue new birth certificates to post-operative transsexuals.
Michigan Custody and Visitation Law
Courts typically will not consider a parent’s sexual orientation in custody and visitation determinations unless it is shown to adversely affect or harm the child(ren). There have been no cases dealing with transgender parents. Courts have not granted custody or visitation rights to the non-biological parent of a child.
Michigan Donor Insemination Law
Michigan law appears to permit unmarried women to undergo donor insemination.
Michigan Hate Crimes Law
State law does not address hate crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Michigan Healthcare Laws
State healthcare laws relating to the LGBT community in the areas of medical decision making and hospital visitation.
Michigan Marriage/Relationship Recognition Law
Michigan law and the state constitution both purport to ban recognition of marriages between same-sex couples. There are no other forms of relationship recognition for same-sex couples in state law or policies.
Michigan Non-Discrimination Law
Michigan law does not address discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
