Nearly 9 in 10 LGBTQ+ candidates fear harassment; 1 in 3 receive death threats online
WASHINGTON, DC — LGBTQ+ Victory Institute has released a new national report, revealing a sharp rise in political violence, harassment, and intimidation targeting LGBTQ+ candidates — with profound implications for who runs for office, how campaigns are conducted, and the future of democratic representation in the United States.
Based on a survey of 215 LGBTQ+ candidates across 42 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., the report offers one of the most comprehensive looks to date at the growing threats facing LGBTQ+ individuals seeking public office.
Broad Takeaways:
- Political violence is no longer isolated — it is a defining feature of the campaign experience for many LGBTQ+ candidates.
- Threats and harassment are reshaping how candidates run campaigns — and whether they run at all.
- The inability to afford security is creating a new barrier to entry, limiting who can safely participate in democracy.
- Political violence is not just a safety issue — it is a mental health crisis and a threat to democratic representation.
“This report makes clear that political violence is not just increasing — it is reshaping who feels able to run for office in the first place,” said Evan Low, President & CEO of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. “No one should have to choose between serving their community and protecting their own safety. When LGBTQ+ candidates are driven out by threats and intimidation, our democracy loses the representation it depends on.”
Key Findings:
- Widespread Fear Before Running: Nearly 9 in 10 candidates worried that running as an openly LGBTQ+ person would increase their risk of harassment or attack, and 4 in 5 feared physical violence.
- Harassment Is the Norm — Not the Exception: Nearly two-thirds of candidates experienced in-person harassment, while nearly 8 in 10 faced online abuse, with many encountering it regularly.
- Escalation to Serious Threats: One in three candidates received death threats online, and one in seven experienced them in person, highlighting the severity of the current threat environment.
- Campaigns Altered by Safety Concerns: More than half of candidates changed how or where they campaigned due to safety fears, and nearly 1 in 5 described the impact as significant — limiting public engagement and visibility.
- Security Out of Reach: Fewer than 1 in 10 candidates could afford private security, even as threats escalated — underscoring a growing inequity in who can safely run for office.
- Severe Mental Health Impact: Nearly two-thirds of candidates said attacks negatively impacted their mental health, with some reporting long-term trauma and lasting psychological effects.
“What we’re seeing is not just harassment, it’s a systemic challenge to participation,” said Elliot Imse, Executive Director of LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. “When candidates are forced to change their behavior, limit public engagement, or reconsider running altogether because of safety concerns, that’s not just a personal issue — it’s a breakdown in the conditions required for a healthy democracy.”
The findings also show that political violence disproportionately affects transgender and non-cisgender candidates, candidates of color, and those running in certain geographic and political environments.
They point to an urgent need for increased investment in candidate safety, mental health support, and long-term prevention strategies to address political violence at its root. Without action, threats and intimidation will continue to narrow the pipeline of LGBTQ+ leaders and weaken democratic representation.
“Protecting LGBTQ+ candidates is not separate from protecting democracy,” added Low. “If we want a system that reflects the full diversity of our country, we must ensure that every candidate can run, serve, and lead without fear.”
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute has long worked to prepare and support LGBTQ+ candidates navigating hostile political environments — from candidate training and leadership development to mentorship and mental health resources. This report underscores the growing urgency of that work, as threats, harassment, and violence become more common and more severe. It reinforces the need to continue expanding safety-focused training, strengthening mental health support, and ensuring candidates have the resources they need to run and serve without fear — while also calling for broader investment across the political system to protect participation in democracy.
“This isn’t theoretical — I, like so many LGBTQ+ candidates and elected leaders, have lived it,” said Daniel Hernandez, Vice President of Political Programs at LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. “From surviving gun violence to having my own campaign office targeted, I know how real these threats are and how deeply they affect candidates, their teams, and their families. The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute has been doing this work for years — preparing candidates, supporting them through these challenges, and making sure they’re not facing it alone. This report makes clear the stakes are higher than ever. If we want people to step up and serve, we have to meet this moment with the resources, support, and commitment to their safety demands.”
Read the full report HERE.
About LGBTQ+ Victory Institute
The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is a national non-profit organization (501(c)3) dedicated to training, empowering, and electing openly LGBTQ+ people to all levels of government in the United States and globally. Founded in 1993, it focuses on leadership development, research, and providing a pipeline for LGBTQ+ representation in appointed and elected positions. victoryinstitute.org
