Over half of LGBTQ adults in the United States believe there is little to no social acceptance for transgender people today. That’s according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center, which paints a sobering picture of trans visibility and safety in 2025. The landmark survey is not from the broad community but rather the feelings of the the LGBQ community.
While 61 percent of LGBTQ adults say gay men and lesbians enjoy at least a fair amount of acceptance, and 52 percent say the same for bisexual individuals, only 13 percent believe trans people are socially accepted. A full 52 percent said there is “not much or no acceptance at all” for trans people.
The numbers are also concerning for nonbinary folks, with 44 percent of queer adults saying nonbinary people receive little to no social acceptance. When it comes to lived experiences, the data gets more personal. The majority of gay or lesbian adults, that is, 73 percent, as well as 68 percent of trans adults, said that they have been the target of slurs or jokes because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
And when asked about recent harassment, trans adults were nearly twice as likely to say they had experienced it within the last year, with 42 percent compared to 22 percent of gay or lesbian adults. Even more troubling was that 70 percent of trans adults said they have feared for their personal safety.
That compares to 52 percent of gay or lesbian adults and just 28 percent of bisexual adults. Trans people were also the most likely to say they’ve been mistreated by health care professionals. Family acceptance remains a mixed bag. Just over half of that is 52 percent of gay or lesbian adults, who say their parents accepted them, while only 31 percent of trans adults say the same. Still, there is some hope on the horizon. A majority of LGBTQ+ adults believe society is more accepting today than it was a decade ago.
Sixty-seven percent said the Supreme Court ruling that solidified marriage equality made people somewhat or a lot more accepting. And they believe progress will continue. Most agree that increased support from religious leaders, out politicians, and celebrities could play a major role in building a more inclusive future. The survey by Pew demonstrates the growing concerns among the LGBTQ community.
