Pride 2025 was one of the most dangerous in US history, report reveals

Pride month in 2025 was one of the most dangerous for LGBTQ+ Americans in history, a damning new report has revealed.

LGBTQ+ rights group GLAAD reported a staggering 268 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents across the country in June 2025 alone – a nearly 400 per cent increase compared to the last few years.

The media advocacy organisation documented more than 1,000 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents nationwide as part of its annual extremism report.

Published on Tuesday (27 January), GLAAD’s ALERT Desk tracked 128 acts of vandalism, 76 violent assaults, 22 threats of mass violence and 15 arson attempts, and more.

Over half of all reported incidents targeted transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people, a 10 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

GLAAD noted that US states at the centre of political turmoil over LGBTQ+ rights, including California, New Hampshire, Texas, Ohio and Washington saw the most reported incidents overall.

California saw 198 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents across 2025, the highest of any US state. It comes as the state’s governor, Gavin Newsom, U-turned on his support of trans rights and has regularly hosted far-right and anti-LGBTQ+ pundits on his podcast.

Politicians fuelling hate incidents, GLAAD CEO says

Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD’s president and CEO, accused politicians from across the political spectrum of fuelling these incidents through their policies and rhetoric.

“Instead of growing divides that lead to this violence, politicians should recognise that all Americans deserve freedom, fairness, and safety,” she said.

US politicians proposed a record-breaking number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 2025, with an estimated 616 bills tabled last year alone, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Over the past few years, the US has seen an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation tabled both federally and statewide, with 2,025 submitted since 2023.

These bills include the censorship of LGBTQ+ books and media, bans on gender-affirming care for trans young people, restrictions on Pride events, and much more.

Ellis called on Americans to reject the nationwide rise of homophobia and transphobia, saying that the public should “refuse to accept a country where our neighbours fear for their safety”.

“We must join together in a united call against the violence and harassment that too many LGBTQ+ Americans face,” she added.

A YouGov poll published earlier this month suggests that US adults believe Republicans have gone too far in repealing LGBTQ+, particularly trans, rights.

Sixty-four per cent of adults surveyed say they feel the GOP has a transphobia problem, with 44 per cent saying it is a major problem.

Despite the backlash, US president Donald Trump has continued to impose executive orders restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ people across the country. Opinion polling suggests he is one of the most unpopular presidents in recent history.

LGBTQ+ people in the US can report an anti-LGBTQ+ incident by contacting GLAAD here.

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