It’s been a stressful few years. Between an ongoing affordability crisis, shifts in national legislation, sky-high gas prices, changes to student loan payments and food stamp qualifications, and national policy changes, times are tough for many. The LGBTQ+ community, statistically more likely to be less affluent and more on the front lines of these safety net changes, is weathering those storms as well as increased targeting of trans rights and general acceptance of the queer community in America.
With all this in mind, we wanted to see how the LGBTQ community is doing across the U.S., so we surveyed 1,000+ self-identified members of the LGBTQ+ community to understand their mental health and mindset about navigating 2026’s myriad stressors.
52% of the LGBTQ+ Community Feels Unsafe Being Out Right Now
The anxiety is real: 52% don’t feel safe to be out as LGBTQ+ people right now. This increases to nearly two thirds (64%) among the trans community. Half feel less safe today than they did two years ago (61% among the trans community). Top stressors include national news (28%), and 1 in 5 cite national legislation as another major stressor.
To keep themselves safer, some are turning to “going stealth,” or changing their appearance to mask their LGBTQ+ identity. 32% have opted to do this, increasing to 52% among trans respondents.
With LGBTQ+ rights continually under attack in the U.S., it’s no wonder queer folks struggle to come out. Having even one supportive person to turn to leads to more positive outcomes and decreased risk of suicide for those who choose to share their identity with others. Connecting with others, especially those with shared experiences, can help people feel less alone and build a sense of belonging. Whether it’s online or in person, once a month, or once a day, connect with your people.
I also frequently remind folks: just because others may have negative opinions about you does NOT mean you are bad or wrong. You might not be able to control anyone else, but you can control your reaction to the hate of the world around you. – Avery Brayfield, LPC (They/He)
A major contributor to overall feelings of safety is where queer people actually live; 39% felt they lived in a pro-LGBTQ+ state, 31% felt they lived in a state that was neutral, and 30% said they lived in an anti-LGBTQ+ state. About 1 in 4 are planning on relocating to a more queer-friendly state this year. Of them, 61% are heading for a city, with top destinations being New York City, Chicago, and Portland, OR.
Despite Anxiety, 45% of the LGBTQ+ Community Feel Optimistic About Their Future
Despite feeling unsafe, not everyone is pessimistic. In fact, 36% say they want to organize and fight back against the rising tide of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. The rest are committed to keeping their heads down and making it through the next few years however they need to.
One important factor in how one weathers the stormy seas of life is the role of community. 72% of our respondents indicated feeling a sense of belonging within their LGBTQ community. Not only that, but 41% reported participation in a community group of some sort, and among them, 82% found it helpful for their mental health. Top groups queer people get involved with include volunteer organizations (24%), community activist groups (18%), political organizations (11%), and mutual aid networks (9%) to help each other in time of need.
This commitment towards community shows that LGBTQ people aren’t going anywhere– and they have optimism to match. When asked about their feelings on the future of LGBTQ+ people in the United States, 12% were very optimistic and 33% somewhat optimistic; just 31% were pessimistic.
Generally, queer people are tired. 32% say their dominant feeling is that of exhaustion, followed by hopeful (14%), fearful (11%), and resilient (9%).
Top Stressors and Mental Health
In the last year, LGBTQ+ people have experienced a multitude of different mental health difficulties. 82% report depression, and 81% report anxiety or panic attacks. 72% report burnout or emotional exhaustion in the last year, and 63% say they experienced social isolation. Finally, a concerning 28% report experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Looking into the future with a sense of sadness and hopelessness can leave us sad and apathetic. For this reason, Queer folks benefit from imagining a future where progress continues and change will happen. Our hope does not exist inside of headlines, but it can exist within people who inspire us. – James Gomez, LCPC, LMHC, NCC (He/Him)
Currently, 41% report the state of their mental health as “good” or “very good”, while 27% report their mental health as “bad” or “very bad.” 62% say their anxiety has increased in the last year– but the top stressors aren’t necessarily what you would assume, considering legislation curtailing trans rights and the removal of funding for DEI efforts. Top listed stressors for queer people include their personal finances (69%), the cost of living (59%), and job stability (30%).
How do queer people cope? Hobbies are the top mechanism, with 52% participating in something they love doing. After that, exercise (42%) and creative outlets (33%) follow. Somewhat concerningly, 30% turn to substances, and 22% have prescribed medications to help them manage their mental health.
Nearly a third (32%) are currently in therapy. Of them, 95% have found it helpful, and 27% have an LGBTQ+ therapist. 72% said they’d feel most comfortable if their therapist was also LGBTQ+, to best understand their context.
Among those not in therapy, over 2 in 5 cited cost as the reason why they currently aren’t seeking treatment.
5 Tips to Cultivate Better Mental Health
Shared by Kai Korpak, LCSW (He/Him)
1. Think smaller: Let yourself set smaller, more manageable goals during this time.
2. Acknowledgement: Let yourself acknowledge how hard things are. We aren’t doing ourselves any favors by trying to keep the status quo.
3. Limit your media consumption: While we all want to be informed, there is a difference between staying informed and binge scrolling. Truly be intentional about how much time you are spending consuming the news and media.
4. Focus on your connections close to you: Get to know your neighbors who live around you. Reach out to the people who are close to you physically and emotionally.
5. Celebrate: Let yourself celebrate small wins. During times of stress we can often be harsher toward ourselves. Instead, try to move toward positive and celebratory self- talk. Research shows that self-affirmations actually help our mental wellbeing
Conclusion: Tired or Fired Up, Always Take Care of Yourself
Queer people have been active, full members of society since before most societies; they are here to stay. While times might feel difficult now, the resilience and community spirit of LGBTQ people will keep them not just surviving but thriving. Take time to care for yourself and cultivate community along the way – and happy Pride Month.