(NAPSI)—Everyone deserves a place to call home, the freedom to live in safety, and the opportunity to work for a better life. Yet, this is too often not the case for LGBTQ+ people. Barriers toward secure housing, stable employment, and overall safety often limit them from pursuing their American dreams.
Housing
When searching for housing, there’s a lot to consider—being in a good school district for your kids, finding roommates who won’t raid your fridge, staying on budget while living close to work, and more. But for LGBTQ+ individuals, the process comes with additional challenges. The Movement Advancement Project reported in 2024 that nearly half of LGBTQ+ people live in states that lack laws that clearly protect them from being denied housing, use of public accommodations, or other services based solely on who they are and whom they love.
Emma, a transgender woman, dealt with discrimination in her own home when her landlord began to sexually harass her, targeting her specifically because she’s a transgender woman. The persistent harassment made her uncomfortable, but she didn’t have many other options and couldn’t afford to move again. The situation worsened when another transgender woman moved in. The harassment grew more severe and intensified, an experience that made her distrustful of others and emphasized the importance of being able to access safe housing.
From Emma’s experiences, her checklist for housing became simple. “In my perfect future, I hope to find a place where I can afford to live alone, have a little balcony, a porch, and a cat. A place to relax.”
Employment
The limited protections also extend beyond housing and affect LGBTQ+ people in the workplace. The Center for American Progress reported in 2023 that 50 percent of LGBTQ+ Americans have been harassed, fired or denied a promotion at work because of who they are. This widespread discrimination has forced many LGBTQ+ individuals to hide their gender identity and sexual orientation at work, as Drew, a Chicago-based restaurant and bar owner, experienced firsthand.
Drew recalls working for a manager early in his career who plainly stated that “he would send us back in a body bag” if he discovered any of his staff was gay. This experience led Drew and his partner James to open the bar “Drew’s” with the intention of maintaining a safe working environment.
So, what is the key to creating a safe environment for all employees? Drew says it’s simple—“respect.” Treating all employees with respect can help to build and maintain safe working environments for all, especially those who already experience barriers to employment stability.
Safety
American dreams often center on the fundamental right to safety and security, and pursuing ambitions without fear. For LGBTQ+ people across the country, the reality is that they are nearly four times more likely to be victims of violent crimes, as reported by The Williams Institute in 2020.
Trey, a filmmaker and transgender woman, spent much of her youth unable to live as her authentic self. She found herself in less-accepting spaces. Her coworkers and college peers purposefully misgendered her (deliberately referring to her by the wrong gender), and it began to negatively impact her.
Despite the negativity she has faced, Trey lives by the understanding that “we should have awkward conversations, encourage people to live their truth, and to love every day as a gift.”
Supporting Everyone’s American Dream
While these experiences are far too common, they remind everyone that the desire for safety and fulfillment is universal—and that more unites us than divides us. We all have a role to play in creating a world where everyone, including LGBTQ+ people, has the chance to pursue their dreams and build a better life.
To get more facts, hear real stories, and learn how to create a more accepting and inclusive world, visit LoveHasNoLabels.com/American-Dreams.
Note to editors: While this information is useful to everyone, it’s of particular relevance to those in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
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