Stonewall research

LGBTQ+ Life in the UK: 2026 collates responses from almost 3,500 lesbians, gay, bi, trans+ and queer people to provide a clear snapshot of LGBTQ+ experience across political, social and cultural settings. This is the first major report of its kind from Stonewall since 2018 and it captures almost a decade of change in LGBTQ+ equality. 

It paints a complicated picture, revealing increased acceptance alongside significant pessimism about the future.

Download the full report 

This report, written by Simon Shaw, highlights the incredible impact of TRANSforming Futures, as well as making recommendations for funders on how to support trans community projects.

The Zoteria report, launched in partnership with Vodafone Foundation and Galop, analyses data generated by the Zoteria app in the first year of use and reveals vital insights into anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime.

The app, which anyone can download, allows people to flag anti-LGBTQ+ hate incidents - and connects users with support services.

The report uncovers vital insights into anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime, an issue which continues to impact the community.

This report and the data from the app sheds light on how technology and data can help tackle anti-LGBTQ+ hate in the UK. Flagging encounters on the app also helps to build a more accurate picture of anti-LGBTQ+ hate in the UK. 

• Almost one in four LGBT people (23 per cent) have experienced a hate crime or incident due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity in the last 12 months.
• Half of trans people (52 per cent) have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity in the last 12 months.
• Four in five LGBT people (82 per cent) who experienced a hate crime or incident didn't report the incident to the police.
• One in ten LGBT people (10 per cent) who were looking for a house or apartment to rent or buy in the last year felt discriminated against.

LGBT in Wales - Hate Crime and Discrimination is Stonewall Cymru's new research highlighting the shocking levels of hate crime and discrimination that LGBT people still face in Wales today.

Based on YouGov polling of over 1200 LGBT people in Wales, the research reveals that anti-LGBT abuse extends far beyond acts of hate and violence on our streets. Many LGBT people still endure poor treatment while using public services and going about their lives, whether in their local shop, gym, school or place of worship.

Key findings

• Hate crime: Almost one in five LGBT people (23 per cent) in Wales have experienced a hate crime or incident due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity in the last 12 months
• The number of lesbian, gay and bi people in Wales who have experienced hate crime has increased by 82 per cent, from 11 per cent in 2013 to 20 per cent in 2017
• Half of trans people (52 per cent) have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity in the last 12 months
• Four in five LGBT people (82 per cent) who experienced a hate crime or incident didn’t report it to the police
• Youth: Two in five LGBT young people age 18-24 (43 per cent) have experienced a hate crime or incident based on their gender identity and/or sexual orientation in the last year. Just 12 per cent of these people report it to the police
• Disability: LGBT disabled people are more likely to have experienced a hate crime or incident based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity: 30 per cent in the last year compared to 20 per cent of non-disabled LGBT people
• Safety in public: A third of LGBT people (30 per cent) avoid certain streets because they do not feel safe as an LGBT person there. Two in five LGBT people (39 per cent) would not feel comfortable walking down the street while holding their partner's hand. This increases to three in five gay men (57 per cent)
• Housing: One in 10 LGBT people (10 per cent) who were looking for a house or apartment to rent or buy in the last year felt discriminated against
• Bars and restaurants: One in five LGBT people (19 per cent) who visited a café, restaurant, bar or nightclub in the last 12 months have been discriminated against based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity

What respondents said

I had bleach thrown at me, bricks through the windows, I had fireworks taped to the windows and blown out and my boyfriend was beaten half to death.

Gethin, 42

I was assaulted by a man whilst I was holding hands with my lesbian partner. He grabbed me from behind and thrust himself into me, then verbally attacked me.

Freya, 21

Once I was walking a friend to their university because they were feeling suicidal, so I was holding their hand. A man I did not know spat at me and hissed "dyke" at me.

Alex, 23

What you can do

Stonewall Cymru has made the following recommendations for all individuals who want to help tackle anti-LGBT hate crime and discrimination:

• Call out online anti-LGBT abuse whenever you see it, so long as it is safe to do so. Support those being targeted by letting them know you are an ally
• Let local business owners know if you witness an anti-LGBT incident from staff or other customers so that they can tackle it. Make clear that they could risk losing you and others as customers if they don’t
• Report incidents of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic discrimination you experience when accessing public services like housing or social services to the service provider or local council so they can take action.

• A third of LGBT employees in Wales (34 per cent) hid or disguised that they are LGBT at work in the last year because they were afraid of discrimination
• Three in ten trans people (30 per cent) have been the target of negative comments or conduct from their work colleagues because of their identity
• One in four bi people (26 per cent) aren’t out to anyone at work

LGBT in Wales - Work Report is Stonewall Cymru's report based on YouGov research with over 800 LGBT employees, revealing troubling discrimination in Wales’s workplaces.

Key findings

• One in six LGBT employees (16 per cent) have been the target of negative comments or conduct from work colleagues in the last year because they are LGBT. Three in ten (30 per cent) of trans people experienced the same.
• One in four bi people (26 per cent) aren't open about their sexual orientation to anyone at work, compared to four per cent of gay and lesbian employees.
• A third of LGBT staff (34 per cent) hid or disguised that they are LGBT at work in the last year because they were afraid of discrimination.
• One in 10 lesbian, gay and bi employees (10 per cent) wouldn't feel confident reporting any homophobic or biphobic bullying to their employer. One in five trans people (18 per cent) wouldn't report transphobic bullying in the workplace.
• One in six LGBT staff (16 per cent) say they were excluded by colleagues in the last year for being LGBT, increasing to one in five trans employees (21 per cent).
• Almost one in five trans people (17 per cent) don't feel able to wear work attire representing their gender expression.

What respondents said

A customer, as they were leaving my counter, said, "He was a faggot, that's disgusting, I don't want to be served by him" loud enough to be heard by several people.  

Maddox, 35

I still feel pressure to keep quiet about my sexuality. I was working part-time over Christmas, and at least two colleagues made homophobic and transphobic remarks. I was too anxious and fearful of rejection to reprimand them or tell them that I was gay.

Milo, 30

The last four job interviews I've had have all thought it to be okay to ask when I am having my gender reassignment surgery and how long I would be taking off work when I did so, before turning me down for the job applied for. My last phone interview said that my retail skills were not good enough to fill the position of customer assistant even though I have 10 years of retail management experience.

Lynn, 41

What can you do

Find out about Stonewall’s workplace programmes, events and more.

The Ace in the UK Report uncovers for the first time the shocking experiences of healthcare, workplace and societal discrimination that ace people face in the UK, and the need for better legal and policy protections. 

This report is the result of the Stonewall x Yasmin Benoit Ace Project, which launched in 2022 to help build a better picture of ace communities’ experiences, needs, and priorities for change.

• Half of LGBT people (49 per cent) have experienced depression in the last year, including seven in ten trans people (72 per cent)
• One in four LGBT people (24 per cent) have faced discrimination in healthcare settings
• Almost two in five trans people (37 per cent) avoid seeking healthcare for fear of discrimination from staff

LGBT in Scotland – Health Report is Stonewall Scotland’s latest research, based on a YouGov polling of 1,261 LGBT people in Scotland, which highlights experiences of poor mental health, substance abuse, discrimination in healthcare environments, and challenges in accessing health services.

Key findings

• Half of LGBT people (49 per cent) have experienced depression in the last year, including seven in ten trans people (72 per cent).
• More than half of trans people (52 per cent) have thought of taking their own life in the last year.
• One in seven trans people (14 per cent) have been pressured to access services to question or change their gender identity.
• One in four LGBT people (24 per cent) have witnessed discriminatory or negative remarks against LGBT people by healthcare staff.
• Almost two in five trans people (37 per cent) have avoided healthcare treatment for fear of discrimination.
• One in four LGBT people (27 per cent) have experienced healthcare staff having a lack of understanding of specific lesbian, gay and bi health needs.
• Nearly three in five trans people (59 per cent) have experienced healthcare staff having a lack of understanding of specific trans health needs.

What respondents said

“We are still seeing terrible bullying and mental health issues in young LGBT people. A close friend's trans grandson took his life in the last two weeks. He didn't get the chance to learn that it gets better.” (Gillian, 50)

“Until very recently, I seldom had a good relationship with health centre staff, GPs and nurses. It seems to me that it never occurs to many of them to ask for or be receptive to information about gender & sexuality so that they can factor this in when dealing with healthcare needs.  I suggest much better training is required in some areas.  I’m 65 now and this is a concern as I think about ageing and how people are treated in hospitals and in care homes.” (Linda, 65)

“When I attended at A&E and more than one medical member of staff asked, ‘Is this your friend?’ when gesturing to my wife. How hard would it be for all staff to ask all patients ‘who have you brought with you to hospital today?’. I'm sure if my wife had been a man they wouldn't have asked if she was my friend.” (Elaine, 56)

“I have experienced repeated expression of prejudiced attitudes towards me by mental health service providers due to me being trans, some in NHS and some in non-NHS services. Repeatedly being needlessly outed as trans without my consent by NHS professionals to other NHS professionals despite being transitioned for over 15 years and having a Gender Recognition Certificate. And repeatedly being asked intrusive and completely irrelevant questions by NHS professionals about my transition and other aspects of being trans.” (Euan, 39)