2025 GLAAD ALERT Desk Report

GLAAD’s annual ALERT Desk report tells the stories that often go unreported by the media and uninvestigated by law enforcement. This year’s report is especially important as federal resources meant to survey and protect the LGBTQ community are censored and defunded by the Trump administration.

Starting on June 1, 2022, GLAAD’s ALERT Desk began tracking incidents of hate and harassment targeting the LGBTQ community in the US. Incidents include both criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment, threats, vandalism, and assault motivated by anti-LGBTQ hate and extremism.

Between May 1, 2024 and May 1, 2025, the ALERT Desk tracked 932 anti-LGBTQ incidents in 49 US states and the District of Columbia – the equivalent of 2.5 incidents every day. Violent attacks included in this year’s count resulted in 84 injuries and 10 deaths.

Key Findings from the 2025 ALERT Desk Report

• Incidents on the Rise:
  • Transgender People: Over the past year, 52% of all incidents were targeting transgender and gender non-conforming people (485 out of 932 incidents).
    • Year Over Year (YOY) Trends: Up 14% from 2023-24 data.
    • Context: This coincides with at least four executive orders from the Trump administration that specifically demean and discriminate against transgender Americans, and following $215M in political ads during the 2024 campaign targeting trans people.
  • State & Local Government: Over the past year, the ALERT Desk tracked 181 anti-LGBTQ incidents targeting state and local government, including state elected officials and city council members.
    • YOY: Up 57% from 2023-24 data.
    • Context: This coincides with 575 anti-LGBTQ bills in the 2025 state legislative session – of which, 92% were defeated.
  • Educators and Librarians: Over the past year, the ALERT Desk tracked 270 incidents targeting students, teachers, professors, administrative staff, and librarians nationwide, especially during school board meetings.
    • YOY: Up 10% from 2023-24 data.
    • Context: This coincides with more than 10,000 book bans in public schools during the 2023-24 school year – including now-familiar and popular LGBTQ-themed titles like “All Boys Aren’t Blue” and “Flamer.”
  • GLAAD’s 2025 Accelerating Acceptance report also confirms these findings, with nearly two in three LGBTQ U.S. adults stating that they have personally experienced discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 
    • Nearly two in three LGBTQ adults (68%) and 84% of all Gen Z LGBTQ adults also believe that violence or threats against LGBTQ Americans are likely going to increase in the next year.
• Shifting Tides:
  • Drag Artists and Venues: Over the past year, the ALERT Desk tracked 83 incidents specifically targeting drag performers and venues this year, including 16 bomb threats and 4 assaults.
    • YOY: Down 55% from 2023-24 data.
    • Context: The resilience and tenacity of the drag community helped weather a surge of anti-drag attacks in 2022 and 2023. Performers continued to be visible, multiple federal courts ruled drag bans unconstitutional attacks on free speech and expression, and security efforts bolstered by groups like Qommittee strengthened comprehensive safety and security strategies for drag artists and events.
  • Pride Flags and Symbols: Over the past year, the ALERT Desk tracked 208 incidents specifically targeting Pride flags and other symbols of the LGBTQ community.
    • YOY: Down 25% from 2023-24 data.
    • Context: Pride flags, LGBTQ-themed crosswalks, and other symbols of the community are vulnerable “soft targets” – easy to find and access in nearly every local community. Community responses to vandalism and theft have included immediate replacement flags, additional symbolism, and renewed commitment to LGBTQ people, safety, and visibility.

Methodology:

Anti-LGBTQ incidents tracked by the ALERT Desk must:

• Be dated on or after June 1, 2022;
• Occur within the United States, including online incidents targeting US-based persons;
• Include an act of harassment, threat(s), vandalism, and/or assault against an individual, group, and/or organization; and
• Include an explicit indication of anti-LGBTQ hate as a motivating factor, whether by:
  
  1. the words or actions of the perpetrator, or
  2. where a reasonable person would conclude the victim was targeted due to a real or perceived LGBTQ identity or affiliation with the LGBTQ community.

The ALERT Desk identifies anti-LGBTQ incidents through self-reports, media reports, social media posts, and data sharing from partner organizations and law enforcement. The team works to ensure the validity and accuracy of all incidents, including cross-referencing sources, removing attempts at trolling / spam, and maintaining good data hygiene.