ctrl+alt+lgbt: Digital Access, Usage, and Experiences of the LGBTQ+ Community

By: Kirby Phares and Rob Todaro 

Technology acts as a vital conduit for the information and services relied upon in the modern era, from entertainment and communication to basic amenities like health care, education, and government services. Affordable and consistent access to devices, service, and digital spaces has proven a prerequisite for success in many spheres of life. 

However, significant disparities in these areas persist and disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals. 

In the United States, LGBTQ+ individuals face enduring social, economic, and health disparities, worsened by record-breaking levels of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the states. They are more likely to experience poverty, housing instability, unemployment, and food insecurity. Additionally, LGBTQ+ individuals often report worse physical and mental health outcomes compared with their straight, cisgender counterparts. Discrimination remains a pervasive issue, with LGBTQ+ adults encountering consistently high rates of discrimination in the workplace, in health care settings, and in other areas of daily life. These disparities are especially pronounced among transgender individuals and people of color within the LGBTQ+ community.

The digital age has introduced new challenges, with real-world inequities and prejudices manifesting on digital platforms. Despite these, the internet, coupled with access to devices and reliable connectivity, serves as a critical tool for empowerment and resilience for LGBTQ+ adults. It provides essential access to health care, educational resources, and employment opportunities. Furthermore, the internet offers a vital outlet for positive connections, community building, and self-expression, of particular importance for marginalized groups facing systemic discrimination.

Ensuring equal access to the internet, devices, and reliable connectivity for LGBTQ+ individuals is not just a matter of convenience, but a necessity for fostering equity and inclusion. As society increasingly relies on digital platforms for critical aspects of life, bridging the digital divide for LGBTQ+ adults becomes imperative. This access supports their health, education, and economic stability, while also enabling them to connect with supportive communities and express their identities freely and safely.

To better understand the way LGBTQ+ adults access and utilize digital tools, devices, and spaces, LGBT Tech partnered with Data for Progress to conduct a survey of 1,304 LGBTQ+ adults (18 and over) nationwide. The results document how, where, and why LGBTQ+ adults access the internet and use digital and social platforms, gauge their levels of safety and openness in online spaces, and highlight a variety of both positive and negative experiences with social media.

Key Findings

  • An overwhelming majority of LGBTQ+ adults (96%) use the internet at least once a day, demonstrating a strong reliance on digital connectivity. LGBTQ+ adults also frequently access the internet in public spaces, such as in coffee shops, libraries, and, importantly, in LGBTQ+ community centers. 

  • A substantial majority of LGBTQ+ adults utilize the internet for various essential services, such as searching for health information online (87%), telehealth services (61%), and finding LGBTQ+-friendly health care providers (44%). 

  • Many LGBTQ+ adults joined social media platforms before the age of 18, and their initial motivations for joining these platforms include social connections and ways to express identity. At least 77% of LGBTQ+ adults use the internet to express themselves creatively, explore new ideas and perspectives, and connect with friends and family.

  • Online spaces have had a profound impact on the identity and self-expression of LGBTQ+ adults. Nearly three-quarters report that online spaces have had a significant impact on discovering or learning about their LGBTQ+ identity. This impact is even more pronounced among transgender adults (90%), younger LGBTQ+ adults ages 18-24 (87%), Latine LGBTQ+ adults (83%), and Black LGBTQ+ adults (81%). 

  • Unfortunately, many LGBTQ+ adults experience harassment and misinformation online. This is particularly pronounced among transgender adults. Furthermore, half of LGBTQ+ adults report experiencing anti-LGBTQ+ bullying or harassment online, with higher rates among transgender adults and younger LGBTQ+ adults ages 18-24, and more than a third of LGBTQ+ adults have seen anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation shared online, highlighting the prevalence of harmful content.

Despite the challenges of harassment and misinformation, a majority of LGBTQ+ adults feel very safe or somewhat safe in online spaces. This sense of safety is crucial for their continued engagement and expression in these digital environments.

Lew Blank