LGBT rights in South Dakota

South_Dakota_counties_and_cities_with_sexual_orientation_and_gender_identity_protection

LGBT rights in South Dakota refer to the legal and social status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in the U.S. state of South Dakota. While there have been significant strides in LGBT rights in the United States, South Dakota has been slower to adopt comprehensive protections for LGBT individuals.

Legal Status

Same-Sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage has been legal in South Dakota since June 26, 2015, following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which ruled that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Adoption and Parenting

Same-sex couples in South Dakota are permitted to adopt children. However, there are no explicit state laws that prohibit discrimination against LGBT individuals or couples in the adoption process.

Anti-Discrimination Protections

South Dakota does not have statewide laws that explicitly protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, or public accommodations. Some localities within the state have enacted their own protections, but these are limited in scope.

Hate Crimes

South Dakota's hate crime laws do not include protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Efforts to amend the state's hate crime statutes to include these categories have been introduced but have not passed.

Public Opinion and Social Climate

Public opinion in South Dakota on LGBT rights has been mixed. While there is growing acceptance, there remains significant opposition, particularly in more rural areas. Advocacy groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and local organizations continue to work towards greater equality and protection for LGBT individuals in the state.

Related Pages

• LGBT rights in the United States
• Obergefell v. Hodges
• Same-sex marriage in the United States
• American Civil Liberties Union
• Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

See Also

• Human rights in the United States
• Civil rights movements
• LGBT history in the United States

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