Diversity and Inclusion in the USA

With the USA’s reputation as a melting pot for all sorts of nationalities, cultures and ethnicities from around the world, you can expect to meet a diverse range of people from all walks of life as you settle down in your new home.

That said, the concepts of diversity and inclusion, and the treatment and rights of groups commonly covered by those terms (for example, women, LGBTQ+ people, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and others), are an active and sometimes polarising part of American public life and politics.

The USA’s civil rights, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ movements have all profoundly shaped the country’s laws and public life for the better. That said, the current administration has pushed forward a series of executive actions and regulatory rollbacks, many of which are quickly struck down by the courts. But the quickly changing situation can make it difficult for newcomers to understand what protections are in place at any given time.

In such a contentious and quick-moving political and social climate, this guide focuses on broader and longer-term trends and prevailing legislation. Here are some aspects of diversity and inclusion in the USA that new arrivals may encounter.

Accessibility in the USA

Accessibility in the USA varies widely from state to state – this is due to the variety of physical environments throughout the country, as well as the fact that states are able to set their own laws and policies regarding accessibility. Some states have particularly good reputations for accessibility, while others may be more difficult for those with disabilities to navigate.

Some of the cities noted for being particularly accessible are Las Vegas, Seattle, Orlando, Portland, and Washington, DC. Despite being renowned for its diversity, New York City’s subway is currently only 27 percent accessible for people with disabilities. That said, under a 2022 settlement agreement, the MTA has committed to making 95 percent of subway stations accessible by 2055, and there are plenty of wheelchair-friendly restaurants and historical sites to enjoy throughout the city.

Across the country, minimum accessibility standards are set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These standards must be met by any new construction, and older buildings undergoing renovation or add-ons also need to abide by these rules. This applies to all public accommodation, government and commercial facilities.

Public transport will generally have accessibility features such as ramps and lifts. Assistance is usually available for those who need it, and service animals are generally allowed on all forms of transport.

Further reading

Wheelchair Travel: United States
Access Board
Visit the USA

LGBTQ+ in the USA

The USA has a generally progressive stance towards LGBTQ+ rights. In 2004, Massachusetts was the first state to legalise same-sex marriage – by 2015, same-sex marriage was legal in all 50 states. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is explicitly outlawed in 22 states plus the District of Columbia, including California, Virginia and New York and most other states on both coasts. An additional eight states interpret existing sex discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity, while two states prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation only. The Equality Act, currently proposed in the US Congress, would make these forms of discrimination illegal throughout the country, should it be passed.

In 2022, the US became one of the few countries in the world to allow a third gender option on official documentation – passport applicants filling out the gender section now have the options of "M" for "male", "F" for "female" or "X" for "unspecified" or "other gender identity".

Lively LGBTQ+ communities can be found in just about every corner of the USA. Traditionally liberal states like California, New York, Virginia and Illinois are still home to some of the largest and most active LGBTQ+ communities, but gay-friendly bars and activities can be found in even the most conservative of states, such as Alabama and Wyoming.

Further reading

The Task Force: LGBTQ+ advocacy and resources
Human Rights Campaign

Gender equality in the USA

Since 1920, when women in the United States gained the right to vote, the country has taken significant steps to improve gender equality. But in its 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, the World Economic Forum ranked the US 43rd out of 146 countries, a substantial drop from 27th place in 2022.

According to recent data, the gender wage gap in the US stands at approximately 19 percent, with women working full-time earning about 81 cents for every dollar men earn. Persisting gender norms are a factor.

In the US, expectant parents are not entitled to any parental leave, and the question is left to employers, some of whom do offer parental leave as a perk. That said, the state of Virginia recently introduced a law mandating that insurers issue short-term disability policies for childbirth, which would allow new mothers to claim benefits for 12 weeks. While this may not be a cure-all, it is certainly a step in the right direction.

The US government does not protect abortion rights on a federal level, and each state sets its own regulations.

Further reading

National Organization for Women
UN Women: United States

Women in leadership in the USA

The American public is largely supportive of women in leadership positions, but the reality often doesn’t live up to the ideal. Despite making up more than 50 percent of the workforce, women still hold a minority of senior leadership positions. In Fortune 500 companies, only 11 percent of CEOs are women.

Progress has been made in female representation within politics, particularly with the presidential nomination of Hillary Clinton in 2016. Although Clinton did not win the election, numerous women in politics have stated that she inspired them to run for Congress. The election of Kamala Harris as the first female Vice President in 2021 has also been praised as a sign of major progress.

Mental health awareness in the USA

Rates of mental illness in the USA are fairly high, with nearly one in five adults experiencing a mental health condition in any given year. More than one in five Americans received mental health treatment in recent years, although many who need care still face barriers to accessing it.

Significant progress has been made regarding stigma around mental illness, with most Americans now viewing mental health as a priority that deserves greater attention. There are other major barriers to treatment, with high costs and insufficient insurance coverage being chief among them.

Studies show that expats are at higher risk of depression, anxiety and substance use disorders than the general population, with increased stress and loneliness being common precipitating factors. Tackling mental health problems early, rather than waiting to seek help, is associated with better treatment outcomes – so keeping an eye on mental wellbeing and taking action if needed is important.

To ensure easy access to treatment, checking that health insurance provided by an employer includes full coverage for psychiatric and psychological services is recommended.

Further reading

Mental Health America
MentalHealth.gov
SAMHSA
National Rehab Hotline

Unconscious bias education in the USA

Unconscious bias is an implicit set of stereotyped ideas that an individual carries about groups of people different to themselves. These ideas are not usually purposefully adopted but rather develop subtly over time, and people tend to hold unconscious biases about groups they never or rarely come into contact with. As a result, these perceptions are often inaccurate and based on assumptions.

Unconscious bias can profoundly affect both personal and work conditions. In the workplace, unchecked bias undermines key aspects of the company, with negative effects on employee performance, retention and recruitment. In a bid to create a better work environment, many companies are beginning to institute unconscious bias training. There are also a number of online resources that can be used to improve self-awareness regarding bias.

Further reading

Harvard Implicit Association Test
NonprofitReady: Free unconscious bias training

Diversification of the workforce in the USA

Home to over 51 million foreigners, the USA has a long history of immigration, with its reputation as a melting pot being well earned. People from all over the globe – the majority hailing from Mexico, China and India – continuously flock to the USA in pursuit of the American Dream. This influx of immigration gives the USA a plentiful source of labour, which has been key in strengthening the US economy, both historically and in the present day.

As you move to the USA, you’ll find yourself in good company. The USA has the world’s largest immigrant population in pure numbers, and nearly 19 percent of the labour force is made up of foreigners. Management, business science, and the arts are the main employers of foreign-born workers, with 35 percent working in these areas and 23 percent working in the service industry.

Studies show that diversification of the workplace is hugely beneficial to companies and employees alike. In recognition of this, many of the largest companies in the USA are setting up diversity and inclusion programmes, ensuring that a wide variety of people are represented among employees.

Further reading

Immigration Research: Population diversity and long-term prosperity

Safety in the USA

Although it’s true that the US has a higher crime rate than many other developed countries, its reputation for violence is often exaggerated by the local media. Basic safety precautions which would be practised elsewhere in the world should be followed here too, such as avoiding walking alone through less busy areas of the city at night.

Lax gun laws and a glaring disparity between the wealthy and the poor are contributing factors to the high crime rate in the US, but you’ll likely live in neighbourhoods unaffected by serious or violent crimes. Violent crime is more of a concern in city centres than in suburban and rural communities. Poorer neighbourhoods, where crime is more common, are avoidable, and downtown areas and business districts are generally safe.

Some cities have much higher crime rates than others, but you can expect a strong police presence everywhere. In fact, cities such as Richmond have seen a downward trend in homicides recently, thanks to the city’s efforts in preventing gun violence.

There have been a few incidents of terrorism in the US since 2001, such as the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, but the country’s various security agencies have largely cracked down on terrorism and are generally able to intercept any plots before they are carried out.

The main terrorism risk comes from domestic threats, particularly lone actors and small groups motivated by various ideological beliefs who target public events or places. The Department of Homeland Security continues to assess the terrorism threat as elevated. School shootings have also increased at public schools, but most schools have security measures in place to prevent any such violence or at least curb its effects should a shooting incident occur. The risk to children, overall, is low.

Calendar initiatives in the USA

4 February – World Cancer Day 
March – TB Awareness Month 
8 March – International Women’s Day 
19 May – Global Accessibility Awareness Day 
June – Pride Month 
10 September – World Suicide Prevention Day 
October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month 
10 October – World Mental Health Day 
14 November – World Diabetes Day 
1 December – World AIDS Day