Illinois, have more rights for GLBT folks than do red states. that's true NOW. Are they all perfect? Hell no, but they are better. Much better on issue after issue.
Let's look at Illinois and Mississippi:
Discrimination protection
Illinois has protected LGBT persons from discrimination since 2006, based on legislation enacted in 2005.[12][dead link]
Adoption and parenting
The state permits adoption by gay individuals or partners, including second-parent adoptions[13] The Illinois Domestic Violence Act, which protects people who share or used to share a dwelling or a "dating relationship" with their abusers, is written in gender-neutral language and is applicable to same-sex partners.[14]
Hate crime laws
Illinois has recognized hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, or heterosexual persons since 2001. The law does not protect attacks based on gender identity as such, but gender identity cases can be prosecuted as perceived sexual orientation cases since the state criminalizes attacks based on one's actual or perceived sexual orientation.[15]
Bullying
Since 2010, Illinois has prohibited bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.[16]
Gender reassignment
Any person with an Illinois birth certificate can legally change their gender. In order to legally change it, sexual reassignment surgery is required.[3]
Polling
A majority of Illinois residents support civil unions, health benefits for partners, and protections from hate crimes and discrimination.[17]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Illinois
And Mississippi:
Adoption and parenting
Mississippi permits adoption by an unmarried adult without regard to sexual orientation. Couples of the same gender may not adopt jointly.[4]
Discrimination protection
Mississippi law does not address discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.[5]
Hate crime laws
State law does not address hate crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation.[6]
Public opinion
A November 2011 Public Policy Polling survey found that only 13% of Mississippi voters supported the legalization of same-sex marriage, while 78% were opposed and 9% were not sure. A separate question on the same survey found that 38% of respondents supported legal recognition of same-sex couples, with 10% supporting same-sex marriage and 28% supporting civil unions, 60% opposed all legal recognition, and 2% were not sure, making Mississippi one of the most dissenting states in the country on the issue.[7]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Mississippi
there's more, lots more.
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