New research from GLAAD shows that while “a supermajority” of Americans support LGBTQ equal rights, but the far right’s attack on the community is having an impact as rates of support have declined slightly.

According to GLAAD’s annual Accelerating Acceptance Study, which was released today, 95 percent of non-LGBTQ Americans believe schools should be safe and accepting for all youth; 93 percent say people should be accepted for who they are and 70 percent of GenZ reports discrimination based on their gender identity.

The report also shows that 80 percent of Americans support LGBTQ equal rights, but that is down from a record high of 84 percent one year ago. And all LGBTQ adults report increased negative mental health impact, fear for their safety and online and real-world harassment.

See the complete Accelerating Acceptance 2024 report here.

The study found that accurate media coverage leads to higher acceptance and comfortability among non-LGBTQ people and increased motivation for non-LGBTQ people to speak up for all LGBTQ people. According to the report, accurate news coverage leads to greater readiness to voice support for LGBTQ people, with non-LGBTQ Americans who see LGBTQ in media being 1.3-times more motivated to support LGBTQ Americans. Non-LGBTQ adults who see LGBTQ people in media are 30 percent more familiar with LGBTQ people and 35 percent more comfortable interacting with LGBTQ people in various scenarios.

Non-LGBTQ respondents for the Accelerating Acceptance Study were asked about their comfortability with LGBTQ people and impact of media coverage on their views. Among those who reported seeing LGBTQ people in news, entertainment and advertising there was a 35 percent increase in feeling comfortable learning a family member is LGBTQ, a 32 percent increase in feeling comfortable learning their doctor is LGBTQ, a 30 percent increase in feeling comfortable voting for out LGBTQ candidates for elected office and a 29 percent increase in feeling comfortable working with LGBTQ people.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said, “GLAAD’s 2024 Accelerating Acceptance Study arrives at a monumental inflection point for the LGBTQ community and for our entire country. While acceptance for LGBTQ people remains at supermajority levels, the data this year also sounds substantial alarms about threats to this progress and to freedoms valued by every American.”
She continued, “Our study shows that more non-LGBTQ people have been inspired to speak up for LGBTQ equality as a result of accurate news coverage, and voters have shown up in election after election to reject extremist candidates and their anti-trans campaigns. GLAAD’s Accelerating Acceptance Study should continue to inspire and empower all of us to rise up and speak out for everyone’s freedom to be themselves.

“Our safety, our collective success, and the future of our democracy depend on it.”

“Exclusive” data on anti-LGBTQ attacks noted in the report noted that, since Jan. 1 this year, there have been 516 anti-LGBTQ incidents in the United States. From June 2 2023 to June 1 this year, there were 1,087 anti-LGBTQ incidents in the U.S., up 109 percents from the 519 incidents documented from June 1, 2022, to June 1, 2023.

GLAAD noted that according to a recent Gallup poll, 7.6 percent of all Americans are LGBTQ, including more than 1 in 5 Gen Z adults

GLAAD research shows that 94 percent of LGBTQ registered voters are definitely or probably voting in the 2024 elections, and 53 percent of both registered and likely 2024 voters say they would oppose “a political candidate [who] speaks frequently about restricting access to health care and participation in sports for transgender youth.”

All voter categories, including Republicans, overwhelmingly agree that “Republicans should stop focusing on restricting women’s rights and banning medical care for transgender youth and instead focus on addressing inflation, job creation, and healthcare costs,” according to 94 percent of LGBTQ voters, 76 percent of registered voters, 76 percent of likely 2024 voters, and 82 percent of swing voters.

The Accelerating Acceptance Study was conducted online in January 2024, among a national sample of 2,511 U.S. adults, age 18 or over, using sample sourced by Cint, who has the world’s largest consumer network for digital survey-based research. Data were weighted to ensure results represent the adult 18+ U.S. population.

— Tammye Nash