Increased violence and threats
Data from various Western countries show that violence against LGBTQ+ people has risen sharply in recent years. Trans and gender non-conforming individuals are particularly at risk of threats and attacks.
According to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), reports of hate-motivated violence in Europe increased by over 25 percent between 2019 and 2023. Two-thirds of LGBTQ+ youth say they have experienced bullying or discrimination at school.
Political rhetoric and legislation
In more and more countries, laws are being introduced that restrict the rights of trans people or remove LGBTQ+ topics from education. In Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary and Georgia, Pride events are banned and restrictions are placed on queer representation in media and schools.
In Western Europe, debates around “gender ideology” and “parental rights” are intensifying. According to the ISD, these terms are often used by anti-LGBTQ+ activists to undermine inclusive education and visibility.
Rising censorship and book bans
A cultural backlash is also evident. Books featuring LGBTQ+ characters or themes are increasingly being removed from libraries and schools, not only in the United States but also in parts of Europe. Librarians and teachers who refuse to censor report growing intimidation and online hate campaigns.
Digital platforms as a double-edged sword
Social media platforms play a dual role, the report notes. They are used to spread hate, but their own algorithms and moderation practices also contribute to the digital erasure of LGBTQ+ voices. Hashtags such as #gay, #trans, and #queer were temporarily blocked because they were incorrectly flagged as “sexually explicit.”
Large tech companies have also weakened their hate speech policies. At the beginning of 2025, Meta and YouTube removed explicit protections for trans and non-binary users from their guidelines.
Online hate fuels offline violence
The researchers highlight a direct link between online hate and real-world violence. Extremist groups, ranging from religious fundamentalists to far-right movements, use social media to spread misinformation and normalise aggression.
Since 2020, attacks have occurred in multiple countries on LGBTQ+ venues, including bars and Pride events, often inspired by online conspiracy theories.
Young people feel less safe
US data show that 71 percent of LGBTQ+ youth report that anti-LGBTQ+ laws and rhetoric negatively affect their mental health. In Europe, many young people also say they feel less safe at school, online, and in public spaces.
Call to action
The report stresses that current challenges — from censorship to hate crimes — are closely interconnected. Online moderation, political exclusion, and cultural conservatism reinforce each other, creating a global climate where LGBTQ+ voices have less space.
The researchers call for stronger legal protections for LGBTQ+ users on digital platforms, more effective measures against hate crimes, and increased attention to the risks posed by artificial intelligence and overzealous moderation.
"What was once seen as progress towards equality is now threatened by a combination of political rhetoric, digital policy, and violent hate," concludes the report.
