900+ anti-LGBTQ+ incidents took place in past year in the U.S., GLAAD reports

GLAAD has published a new report detailing anti-LGBTQ incidents in the United States, and the numbers are concerning.

Specifically, the ALERT desk tracked 932 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in the U.S., or about 2.5 incidents every day. These incidents, the report shows, have s that led to 84 injuries and 10 deaths.

Trans people were the primary targets of these attacks, with 52 percent of all incidents targeting trans and gender non-conforming people (485 out of 932 incidents). That's a 14 percent increase from GLAAD's 2023-2024 data.

Another rising trend is the increase in incidents involving state and local governments, as well as those targeting students, teachers, librarians, and school administrative staff.

Over the past year, there have been 181 incidents targeting elected officials, city council members, and other members of state and local governments, up 57 percent from the previous year.

Educators and librarians were targeted 270 times this past year, up 10 percent from the previous year.

There is some good news, as attacks targeting drag performers and venues are down 55 percent from the previous year, and incidents targeting Pride flags and symbols are down 25 percent from the previous year.

"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. The result is a divisive cultural climate that comes at a cost," GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis wrote in a statement. "Data from GLAAD’s ALERT Desk shows the need for an urgent response. 90% 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."