We’re excited to share new research with you, released in partnership with Hopelab, which highlights the profound impact of online communities for LGBTQ+ young people and offers actionable solutions to ensure these spaces remain safe and supportive.

Our report, “Without It, I Wouldn’t Be Here Today”: LGBTQ+ Young People’s Experiences in Online Spaces, explores how digital platforms serve as an important support system—providing essential connection, resources, and affirmation, especially for transgender young people and young people in rural areas.

Key Findings:

• 44% of LGBTQ+ young people feel very safe online expressing their identities, compared to just 9% in person.
• 80% of transgender and nonbinary young people are more likely to disclose their gender identity online than in person.
• LGBTQ+ young people rated friends — both online and in-person — as providing nearly twice the social support of family, underscoring the critical role of peer relationships for LGBTQ+ young people. (63% for online friends, 62% for in-person friends, and 33% for family).
• 76% fear government restrictions on LGBTQ+-affirming online content, while also prioritizing policies for safer digital spaces.
• Supportive in-person spaces matter too—young people with strong in-person support have nearly 50% the rate of depression as those without it.

Read the full report here: https://hopelab.org/stories/without-it-i-wouldnt-be-here

For many young people, online friendships are an important support system. As one young person surveyed shared: “Without it, I wouldn’t be here today. The friendships I’ve made online have kept me alive all these years.”

Importantly, we worked closely with young people at every stage of this research process. We first  co-created the survey with LGBTQ+ young people prioritizing young people in BIPOC, transgender, and rural communities. We then  hosted focus groups with LGBTQ+ young people to process the findings. And finally, we met with young people to review the findings and produce actionable solutions (e.g., resource guides) in support of LGBTQ+ youth mental health. .

We invite you to click here to read this report and understand the role we each can play in building safer, kinder spaces for LGBTQ+ young people online and in person. Our kinder, braver world requires it.