LGBTQ+ candidates are running for office across the United States in increasing numbers. At the same time, harassment, threats, and violence targeting LGBTQ+ candidates are becoming a defining feature of their campaign experience. This report documents the scope of political violence, the mental and physical toll on candidates, and the implications for democracy. For many candidates, the act of running is not only a political endeavor, but also a vulnerable public declaration, one that can expose them to hostility that extends far beyond ordinary partisan competition. The toll can be deeply personal and threatens the pipeline of LGBTQ+ leadership in federal, state and local offices.
The findings in this report underscore a critical reality: protecting LGBTQ+ candidates from violence and intimidation is essential to protecting democratic representation itself. Visibility should not come with danger, participation should not require sacrifice of safety, and the future of inclusive democracy depends on sustained investment in the systems of support that allow LGBTQ+ leaders to be elected and serve their respective communities.
