DeKalb County LGBTQIA+ Rights

Nicole Horn

Reviewed by Policy, Legislative and Advocacy Committee 5/25

Background

Georgia has some of the weakest civil rights protections for our citizens in the nation. Our state has no law that prevents private employers from discriminating on the basis of an employee’s race and no law that prevents local businesses from refusing service to patrons because of their religion.  Similarly, we are one of 28 states that have no laws protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.  

For example, in Georgia there is no law preventing landowners from refusing to rent or sell to our citizens based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. In fact, our legislature has recently passed bills that limit freedoms for transgender youth as well as their medical care.  

Bills that haven’t passed (as of March 2025)

SB 30: This bill passed the Senate but did not get a vote in the House therefore it may still return in 2026. SB 30 is A bill to restrict access to prescribed puberty-delaying medications and hormone therapy for transgender youth. 

In 2023, legislators called SB 140 - a ban on certain medical care for transgender minors in Georgia – a “compromise,” because it did not restrict access to prescribed puberty-delaying medications. Now, those same legislators are back-tracking their promises in a politically-motivated attack against transgender youth, their parents, and medical providers.

SB 39:

Prohibits gender affirming care with the state health plan.

Signed into Law

SB 185: 

This  bill denies access to medically-necessary care for transgender people held in Georgia prisons. SB 185 is an unconstitutional denial of healthcare.

The Constitution forbids cruel and unusual punishment. That's why, when in the custody and care of the state, all inmates are afforded healthcare when it's medically necessary– which it sometimes is for transgender inmates, just like all other inmates.  The State of Georgia's Department of Corrections has already been sued, and lost, for their denial of medically necessary care for transgender people. SB 185 invites further litigation, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill in defense of discrimination.

SB 1:

SB 1 bans transgender girls, starting in 6th grade, from competing on teams designated for females. Trans kids are a tiny percentage of the adolescent population, and trans athletes an even smaller percentage. This bill targets a vulnerable minority of kids and formalizes their exclusion.

This bill legalizes discrimination against kids, encourages unnecessary litigation, and creates hostile environments in our schools. The bill is further concerning because it gives a right of action to any student and their parents who believe they have been directly or even indirectly harmed by an alleged violation of this law. The bill further encourages litigation by promising a successful litigant attorney’s fees and all litigation costs. Attorneys will be eager to litigate under this bill.

Outside of litigation, the bill also mandates school compliance with an aggressive grievance and appeals process, further consuming administrative and educator resources.

SB 36

In previous years, state legislators have failed to pass a so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act, aka RFRA. Like those versions, the current bill is framed as an expansion and protection of religious rights, but in reality, it could be used to deny rights to gay people and many others. Supporters will likely use it as a reason to pass anti-LGBTQ+ laws, further restrict reproductive rights, allow business owners to discriminate at their own discretion, and control educational materials in schools.

Jewish women are increasingly using Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRAs) to challenge abortion restrictions, arguing that such restrictions burden their religious exercise by interfering with their ability to practice Jewish law, which permits abortions in certain circumstances. RFRAs, which aim to protect religious freedoms, are being invoked in lawsuits against state abortion bans, arguing that these laws violate the religious liberties of Jewish women. 

Overall Strategy at Capitol

Call our legislators and encourage them to vote NO.

Join Georgia Equality’s Action Alert with updates and guidance on bills - Action Alert Sign-Up 

Bill #	Title/Main point	Status
SB 1	Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act/Discriminate against Trans female students	Signed into Law
SB 30	Prohibiting Hormone therapies and puberty-blocking medications for certain purposes to minors	Passed in Senate, but no vote in House
SB 39	Expenses for gender-affirming care under the state health benefit plan or with any state funds; prohibit coverage	Passed by Senate, but not the House
SB  185	state funds or resources for certain treatments for state inmates; prohibit	Signed into Law
HB 267	Riley Gaines/Bathroom Bill	Passed by House No vote in the Senate
HB 104	Equal Athletic Opportunities Act/Discriminate against trans students	Passed  by House No vote in Senate
SB 36	RFRA	Signed into Law

Resources

Visit the sites below for the latest information, including ways to get involved.

Georgia Equality - www.georgiaequality.org

Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia: www.stonewallbar.org

GLAAD’s Talking About Series: www.glaad.org/publications/talkingabout

ACLU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Project: www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights