Introduction
More than 1,270 LGBTQ+ people are currently serving in elected office across the United States—from lone voices in deep red state legislatures to governors in progressive blue states championing pro-equality agendas. While the presence of out LGBTQ+ elected officials has reached unprecedented levels, they serve at a time of intense political divisiveness, with LGBTQ+ rights and identities facing relentless attacks nationwide.
Representing a marginalized community under these realities brings unique challenges. Some must constantly fight against bills and policies that aim to harm the community. Others bear the responsibility of pushing forward pro-LGBTQ+ measures while managing the expectations of LGBTQ+ advocates and communities. And many navigate these challenges while being targeted by anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and threats from their colleagues and on social media. These officials are on the frontlines – and their service often comes at great personal cost.
In this first-of-its-kind survey by LGBTQ+ Victory Institute and Loyola Marymount University’s LGBTQ+ Politics Research Initiative, more than 160 LGBTQ+ elected officials shared their experiences with mental health while serving in political office. The Pride and Pressure: Exploring Mental Health Among LGBTQ+ Elected Officials survey provides insights into factors that contribute to their mental health – and looks at access to mental health care and opportunities to better support elected officials who need it.
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is committed to using the results of this survey to better serve its LGBTQ+ elected officials network and to provide new supports that address mental health. The survey is possible thanks to the research support of Loyola Marymount University’s LGBTQ+ Politics Research Initiative and financial and expertise support from Otsuka.
Thank you to the LGBTQ+ public servants who are fighting on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community every day.
If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
Key Findings: The Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Elected Officials
of LGBTQ+ elected officials surveyed rate their overall mental health as less than good (9% say it is poor, 30% say it is fair).
of the LGBTQ+ elected officials say their current mental health is worse than it was the year before they took office.
of the LGBTQ+ elected officials who say their mental health has declined since taking office attribute the decline at least partially to their service in office.
of the LGBTQ+ elected officials who say their mental health has declined since taking office attribute the decline at least partially to being an out LGBTQ+ person in elected office.
LGBTQ+ elected officials say their mental health has negatively impacted their desire to run for re-election or another office. 1 in 4 say it has negatively impacted their desire to run again a lot.
Factors Impacting Mental Health
Anti-LGBTQ Policies & Legislation
of LGBTQ+ elected officials say working to defeat anti-LGBTQ+ policies or legislation had some negative effect on their mental health.
say the introduction of anti-LGBTQ bills and legislation negatively impacted their mental health. A similar number (31%) say that not being able to prevent those bills from passing had a negative impact.
Despite the negative impact,
of LGBTQ+ elected officials say the introduction of anti-LGBTQ+ policies or legislation makes them more likely to run for re-election. Only 1 in 10 say it makes them less likely to run.
Factors Impacting Mental Health
Anti-LGBTQ Rhetoric & Attacks
of LGBTQ+ elected officials say they hear anti-LGBTQ rhetoric or views from their colleagues.
say anti-LGBTQ rhetoric from their elected colleagues negatively impact their mental health.
say they are targeted with anti-LGBTQ messages or attacks on social media.
say anti-LGBTQ attacks on social media negatively impact their mental health.
Factors Impacting Mental Health
Low LGBTQ+ Representation
of LGBTQ+ elected officials say the pressure of needing to be a key voice for the LGBTQ+ community negatively impacts their mental health.
say not having a strong network of LGBTQ+ elected peers negatively impacts their mental health.
say a lack of LGBTQ+ political role models negatively impacts their mental health.
Discrimination Experiences
of LGBTQ+ elected officials felt discriminated against in the past 12 months because of their sexual orientation.
Among the LGBTQ+ elected officials who have felt discrimination based on sexual orientation,
experienced it in their political office, over 3 in 10 (33%) in their electoral or political campaigns, and about 3 in 10 (29%) in their electoral district.
of LGBTQ+ elected officials felt discriminated against in the past 12 months because of their gender identity.
Among the LGBTQ+ elected officials who have felt discrimination based on gender identity,
experienced it in their political office, over 3 in 10 (35%) in their electoral or political campaigns, and about 3 in 10 (29%) in their electoral district.
of non-cisgender elected officials surveyed felt discriminated against in the past 12 months because of their gender identity.
Access to Mental Healthcare
of LGBTQ+ elected officials say they wanted counseling from a mental health professional in the past 12 months.
of those who wanted counseling did not receive it.
Those who wanted but did not receive counseling provide several reasons to explain why.
worry the counselors would not understand the pressures and experiences of elected officials
worry the counselors would not understand the pressures and experiences of an LGBTQ+ person.
worry their access to healthcare would be made public. 1 in 4 fear their political opponents would use it to attack them.
Methodology
Survey responses were collected between September 20 and October 14, 2024. The survey was sent to all 1273 known out LGBTQ+ elected officials in the United States. 163 LGBTQ+ elected officials completed the survey. The survey sample largely reflects the gender identities, sexual orientations, and race/ethnicities of the total LGBTQ+ elected official population.
Survey and Report Partners
The report and survey were jointly conducted by LGBTQ+ Victory Institute and Loyola Marymount University’s LGBTQ+ Politics Research Initiative. The survey was made possible thanks to support from Otsuka.
Authors:
Gabriele Magni, Founding Director, Loyola Marymount University’s LGBTQ+ Politics Research Initiative
Elliot Imse, Executive Director, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute
Pooja Prabhakaran, Director of Elected & Appointed Officials Engagement, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute
If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org