A new research review released by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law highlights the continued threat of violence and hate crimes faced by LGBTQ people in the United States. The March 2026 report analyzes multiple national data sources, including federal victimization surveys and law enforcement statistics, to examine how violence disproportionately impacts LGBTQ communities.
The findings reveal stark disparities. According to the report, LGBTQ people experience violent victimization at a rate of 106.4 incidents per 1,000 people, compared with 21.1 incidents per 1,000 among non-LGBTQ individuals. This means LGBTQ people face violent crime at about five times the rate of the general population.
The data also shows elevated risk for transgender individuals specifically. The Williams Institute estimates that transgender people experience violent victimization at a rate of 93.7 incidents per 1,000 people, making them among the most vulnerable groups in the country when it comes to violent crime.
Researchers also found that hate crimes represent a significantly larger portion of violence experienced by LGBTQ individuals. LGBTQ people are nine times more likely to be victims of violent hate crimes than non-LGBTQ individuals.
The report draws heavily from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), a large federal survey that collects data on crimes whether or not they are reported to the police. This approach provides a broader picture of violence than law enforcement statistics alone, which often capture only a fraction of incidents.
Underreporting remains a major concern. The report notes that approximately half of violent crimes in the United States are never reported to police, and LGBTQ victims may be even less likely to report incidents due to fear of discrimination, harassment, or being outed.
The study also examined the share of violent incidents motivated by bias. Researchers found that about 7.2 percent of violent crimes against LGBTQ people were identified as hate crimes, compared with roughly 0.8 percent of violent crimes against non-LGBTQ individuals.
Intersectional factors further increase risk for some communities. LGBTQ people of color, particularly transgender women of color, experience higher rates of violence and harassment compared with white LGBTQ individuals. While the report does not provide a single national rate for these groups, it emphasizes that race, gender identity, and sexual orientation can combine to increase vulnerability.
Researchers also point to broader national trends. FBI data referenced in the review shows that anti-LGBTQ hate crimes have increased in recent years. Gender identity-based hate crime incidents reported to the FBI rose from 310 cases in 2021 to 469 cases in 2023, reflecting a continuing upward trend in reported anti-transgender violence.
Advocates say the numbers highlight the urgent need for stronger protections, improved reporting systems, and greater accountability when bias-motivated crimes occur.
The Williams Institute concludes that understanding the scale of anti-LGBTQ violence is essential to addressing it. With millions of LGBTQ Americans living openly across the country, researchers say the data makes clear that safety and equality remain ongoing challenges for the community.
