52% of anti-LGBTQ+ attacks targeted transgender and gender nonconforming people
Transgender and gender non-conforming people were the targets of over half the incidents of anti-LGBTQ+ harassment, vandalism, threats, and assault reported in the past year, a new report has found.
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There were 932 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents between May 1, 2024 and May 1, 2025 – equal to 2.5 incidents every day, according to the third annual report from the ALERT Desk, GLAAD's Anti-LGBTQ Extremism Reporting Tracker. Violent attacks accounted for 84 injuries and 10 deaths.
Trans and gender non-conforming people were the targets of 485 (52 percent) of the 932 incidents, marking a 14 percent increase from last year's data. These cases of assault and harassment coincide with Donald Trump's anti-trans executive orders, the report notes, as well as his $212 million ad campaign attacking trans people during the 2024 election.
'This year, rollbacks in LGBTQ visibility and challenges to our rights are coupled with a sharp rise in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and disinformation across social media and political campaigns" GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. "The result is a divisive cultural climate that comes at a cost."
State and local government, including elected officials and city council members, were the targets of 181 incidents, up 57 percent from 2023-2024. Students, teachers, professors, administrative staff, and librarians were the targets of 270 incidents – mostly at school board meetings – up 10 percent from last year.
In contrast, 83 incidents targeted drag performers and venues, including 16 bomb threats and four assaults, marking a 55 percent decrease from 2023-2024. Pride flags and other LGBTQ+ symbols were the targets of 208 incidents, down 25 percent from the previous year.
"Data from GLAAD's ALERT Desk shows the need for an urgent response," Ellis continued. "90 percent of non-LGBTQ Americans believe that the LGBTQ community deserves to live free from violence and discrimination. It's only through awareness, collective action, and community that we can turn the tide toward greater safety and acceptance.'
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