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.
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State Laws can be filtered by state or you can view the full list of Laws by selecting "All State Laws."
Florida Birth Certificate Law: Gender Identity Issues
Florida permits post-operative transsexuals to amend their sex on their birth certificates.
Florida Custody and Visitation Law
Florida 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 children. Florida courts typically do not consider a parent’s gender identity or expression in making custody and visitation decisions. Courts in Florida have not granted custody or visitation rights to the non-biological parent of a child.
Florida Donor Insemination Law
Florida law allows donors no parental rights
Florida Hate Crimes Law
State law covers hate crimes based on sexual orientation but not gender identity.
Florida Healthcare Laws
State healthcare laws relating to the LGBT community in the areas of medical decision making and hospital visitation.
Florida Marriage/Relationship Recognition Law
Florida 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.
Florida Non-Discrimination Law
Florida law does not address discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, in some cases gender identity is protected.
Florida School Laws
Florida law does not explicitly address school issues relating to sexual orientation or gender identity.
Florida Sodomy Law
The Florida sodomy law was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 26, 2003, as a result of the Court’s decision in Lawrence v. Texas.
Florida Surrogacy Law
Florida law explicitly allows both gestational surrogacy agreements (in which the surrogate mother is not the biological contributor of the egg) and traditional surrogacy agreements (in which the surrogate mother is the biological contributor of the egg), but neither is available to same-sex couples.
