Today, GLAAD has announced the findings of its third annual ALERT Desk Report – our Anti-LGBTQ Extremism Reporting Tracker, which documents anti-LGBTQ incidents and trends in hate and extremism across the US.
Read the full report here.
Between May 1, 2024 and May 1, 2025, the ALERT Desk tracked 932 anti-LGBTQ incidents in 49 US states and the District of Columbia – the equivalent of 2.5 incidents every day. 52% of all incidents were also specifically targeting transgender and gender non-conforming people. Violent attacks included in this year’s count resulted in 84 injuries and 10 deaths; eight of which involved fatal violence against people of color.
These numbers tell a story not captured by the media and law enforcement. Hate crime statutes and reporting are inconsistent, confusing, and often ignored. Federal agencies, like the Bureau of Justice Statistics, are also removing mention of gender identity from their survey work. Victims may be unwilling to report on their experiences as they navigate forced outing and lack of trust of local law enforcement. The ALERT Desk seeks to remedy these issues by providing a dedicated space to tell the story of every LGBTQ person in the US targeted for their identity.
Report an incident here.
Transgender and gender non-conforming people were disproportionately targeted by hate-fueled violence, with the ALERT Desk tracking at least 26 injuries and one death motivated by anti-trans hate specifically. Compared to last year, incidents against trans people increased by 14%.
These numbers are far too high, and yet unsurprising, as anti-trans hate surges in political and cultural discourse. The Trump administration has issued at least four executive orders that specifically demean and discriminate against transgender Americans, following an estimated $215M in anti-trans political ads during the 2024 campaign. Federal agencies have censored LGBTQ-related resources and erased mention of transgender leaders from national monuments like Stonewall. At the state-level, 575 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced during the 2025 state legislative session. GLAAD’s 2025 Social Media Index also sheds light on the removal of protections for LGBTQ users on social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
And yet – there is still cause for hope. Anti-LGBTQ incidents this year are down 20% compared to 2023-24 data. Anti-drag attacks alone dropped by more than 50%, demonstrating the true testament of the drag community in finding ways to be resilient in the face of persistent hate. 92% of all state-level anti-LGBTQ bills were defeated.
Public perception is also shifting in our favor. GLAAD’s 2025 Accelerating Acceptance report found that approximately 90% of non-LGBTQ Americans believe that the LGBTQ community deserves to live free from violence and discrimination, and that three in four non-LGBTQ adults support equal rights for LGBTQ people.
Hear more from queer and trans leaders who remind us that LGBTQ people have faced and overcome hardship before, and how we can do it together now.
- Michael Bell, Executive Director of the Savannah Pride Center in Georgia: “Anger can ignite passion. Passion can lead to purpose. And purpose can bring us together in ways that create real and lasting change.”
- Brielle Winslow-Majette, Deputy Director of Garden State Equality in New Jersey: “I have a lot of staff members who are part of the LGBTQ community and who are trans, and I see them walking into the world and into our workspace with a plethora of emotions and trauma from what they’re experiencing every day. I want to be that beacon of light, holding space for individuals who are going through these dark and gloomy times. Remember who you are and remember to take care of that person.”
- Leigh Finke, the first out transgender Minnesota State Representative: “Find the people who see you, love you, and do not demand any validation from you. The world can be so heavy, often scary, often violent. Our transcestors experienced it in community together and we must do the same. Being trans is not a problem to be solved. You do not have to justify any part of your existence.”
- Lushious Massacr, Drag Queen & Emmy Award-Winning Make-Up Artist: “We will love and care for ourselves in spite of the ignorance and intolerance coming out of the White House. We will not get distracted by hate. We will not be afraid because we’ve always known this day would come – and we love to eat bigotry for lunch.”
- CM Erik Bottcher, out gay New York City Council Member: “To every LGBTQ person wondering if they’re safe or seen: you are. And you are not alone. We are in every city council, every state, every street. Keep going. Keep shining. We’ve come too far to go back.”
Methodology:
Anti-LGBTQ incidents tracked by the ALERT Desk must:
- Be dated on or after June 1, 2022;
- Occur within the United States, including online incidents targeting US-based persons;
- Include an act of harassment, threat(s), vandalism, and/or assault against an individual, group, and/or organization; and
- Include an explicit indication of anti-LGBTQ hate as a motivating factor, whether by:
- the words or actions of the perpetrator, or
- where a reasonable person would conclude the victim was targeted due to a real or perceived LGBTQ identity or affiliation with the LGBTQ community.
The ALERT Desk identifies anti-LGBTQ incidents through self-reports, media reports, social media posts, and data sharing from partner organizations and law enforcement. The team works to ensure the validity and accuracy of all incidents, including cross-referencing sources, removing attempts at trolling / spam, and maintaining good data hygiene.
