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{{Header|Nevada 05/25}}{{State-25}}
{{for|Prostitution in Nevada|Prostitution in Nevada}}
{{State
|   state = Nevada
|     map = Nevada_in_United_States.png
|    flag = Flag_of_Nevada.png
|  flagof = Flag of Nevada 
| AdmittanceOrder = 36th
| AdmittanceDate = October 31, {{age-yrs|1864}}
| Governor = Joe Lombardo ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])
| Lieutenant Governor = Stavros Anthony (R)
| Senators = {{nowrap|Catherine Cortez Masto}} ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
 {{nowrap|Jacky Rosen (D)}}
| Representative = {{nowrap| Dina Titus (D)}}<br />{{nowrap|Mark Amodei (R)}}<br />{{nowrap|Susie Lee (D)}}<br />{{nowrap|Steven Horsford (D)}}
| website = nv.gov
| largest = Las Vegas
| capital = Carson City
|      rl = RL-NV
}}
'''Nevada''' is a state in the western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. Nevada is the 7th-most extensive, the 32nd-most populous, and the 9th-least densely populated of the U.S. states. Nearly three-quarters of Nevada's population resides in Clark County, which includes the Las Vegas–Paradise metropolitan area and three of the state's four largest incorporated cities. Nevada's capital is Carson City, while its largest city is Las Vegas.

Nevada is officially known as the "Silver State" because of the importance of silver to its history and economy. It is also called the "Battle Born State" since it achieved statehood during the Civil War (the words "Battle Born" also appear on its state flag); as the "Sagebrush State" for the native plant of the same name; and the "Sage-hen State." The name means "snowy" in Spanish, referring to Nevada's small overlap with the Sierra Nevada mountain range; however, the rest of Nevada is largely desert and semi-arid, much of it within the Great Basin. Areas south of the Great Basin lie within the Mojave Desert, while Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada are positioned on the western edge. About 86% of the state's land is managed by various jurisdictions of the U.S. federal government, both civilian and military.

American Indians of the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes inhabit what is now Nevada. The first Europeans to explore the region were Spanish. They named it Nevada (snowy) due to the snow that blanketed the mountains in winter, akin to the Sierra Nevada in Spain. The area was part of Alta California's territory within the Viceroyalty of New Spain, which gained independence as Mexico in 1821. The United States annexed the region in 1848 following its victory in the Mexican–American War, and it became part of Utah Territory in 1850. The discovery of silver at the Comstock Lode in 1859 triggered a population boom that catalyzed the creation of Nevada Territory from western Utah Territory in 1861. Nevada became the 36th state on October 31, 1864, as the second of two states added to the Union during the Civil War (the first being West Virginia).

Nevada has a reputation for its libertarian laws. In 1940, with a population of just over 110,000 people, it was by far the least-populated state, boasting less than half the population of the next least-populous state, Wyoming. However, legalized gambling and lenient marriage and divorce laws transformed Nevada into a major tourist destination in the 20th century. It is the only U.S. state where prostitution is legal; however, it is illegal in its most populated regions: Clark County (Las Vegas), Washoe County (Reno), and Carson City (which, as an independent city, is not within the boundaries of any county). The tourism industry remains Nevada's largest employer, with mining continuing to be a substantial sector of the economy: Nevada is the fourth-largest producer of gold in the world. Additionally, Nevada is the driest state, and over time, influenced by climate change, droughts in Nevada have increased in frequency and severity, further straining the state's water security.

== Etymology ==
The name "Nevada" comes from the Spanish adjective nevada [neˈβaða], meaning "snow-covered" or “snowy.” The state takes its name from the Nevada Territory, which in turn was named for the Sierra Nevada.

== Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ Community in Nevada ==

Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in Nevada are generally supportive, particularly in urban areas such as Las Vegas and Reno, though acceptance can vary in more rural regions. Here's an overview of the current landscape:


; Legal Protections and Support
* Anti-Discrimination Laws: Nevada law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
* Same-Sex Marriage: Legal in Nevada since 2014; voters even enshrined same-sex marriage into the state constitution via a ballot measure in 2020, making it one of the few states to do so explicitly.
* Transgender Rights: The state allows gender marker changes on IDs without surgery, and insurance plans must cover medically necessary transition-related care.

; Community and Cultural Acceptance
Las Vegas has a thriving LGBTQ+ scene, with numerous LGBTQ+-owned businesses, bars, and events such as Las Vegas Pride and Temptation Sundays at the Luxor.

Reno also supports LGBTQ+ communities, with its own Pride events and inclusive city policies.

UNLV and other colleges in Nevada have active LGBTQ+ student groups and resources.

Many public figures and local leaders in the state are openly supportive of LGBTQ+ rights.

; Challenges and Variations
Rural Areas: In smaller towns and more conservative parts of Nevada, acceptance may be less widespread. Some LGBTQ+ individuals report experiencing stigma or social isolation.

Healthcare Access: While laws are inclusive, access to culturally competent LGBTQ+ healthcare can still be inconsistent outside major cities.

; Public Opinion
Surveys generally show a majority of Nevadans support LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination laws.

Nevada has been rated as one of the more LGBTQ-friendly states in the U.S. by organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, particularly due to its comprehensive legal protections.

== History of the Nevada Flag ==

The Nevada State Flag features a cobalt blue background. In the top left corner of the flag, there is a silver five-point star encircled by two sagebrush branches in bloom with yellow flowers. The green sagebrush is the state flower of Nevada. A yellow banner drapes across the top with the words "Battle Born," the state motto, emblazoned in black. Beneath the star, "Nevada" is written in bold yellow text. The silver star represents the state's nickname, "the silver state," while "Battle Born" is one of the state's mottoes and symbolizes Nevada's admission as a state during the American Civil War. The gold and silver colors used on the flag signify the state's natural resources of gold and silver. Since 1905, Nevada has utilized four different state flags.

In 1926, the Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, Maurice Sullivan, determined that the state flag design at that time was cost-prohibitive to produce due to its intricate design. In response, a design contest was held for a new flag in 1926. The winner of the contest was Louis Schellbach III, who claimed the $25 prize and the honor of being the designer of the Nevada State Flag. Schellbach's design was officially adopted as the Nevada State Flag on March 26, 1929. The design was amended on June 8, 1991, to add the state's name.

Nevada is located in the southwestern region of the United States and borders California, Utah, Arizona, Oregon, and Idaho. The capital city is Carson City, while the largest city in the state is Las Vegas. Carson City is the only state capital in the United States that borders another state. Nevada is the gambling and entertainment capital of the world and is also the largest gold producer in the United States. Nevada is named after the mountain range, Sierra Nevada. "Sierra" (translates as saw-the metal blade with teeth) and Nevada (translates as snow-covered). Nevada's approximately 300 mountain ranges are the most of any state in the country. Nevada is nicknamed "The Silver State" due to the vast amount of silver and gold that was found. The state is also known as "The Battle Born State" and "The Sagebrush State."

The first residents of Nevada were Native American tribes, which included the Shoshone, Paiute, Washoe, and Mohave. The Spanish explorer Francisco Garces was the first European to explore the area, claiming it as part of the Spanish Empire in the 1700s. In 1827, explorer Jedediah Smith mapped the region for travelers. Until the Mexican-American War, Nevada was considered part of Spain and Mexico. At the end of the war in 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo made Nevada a part of the United States of America. In 1861, Nevada became its own territory and was officially named the 36th state of the United States of America on October 31, 1864.

Nevada attracts many tourists each year, especially to visit the [[Las Vegas Strip]], which is known for being home to some of the largest and most luxurious casinos, resorts, and hotels in the world. Lake Tahoe is also a popular destination, known for its beautiful beaches in the summer and ski resorts in the winter.

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