41 percent of LGBTQ youth ages 13 to 24 seriously considered suicide in the past year. Persistent sadness or hopelessness affects 56 percent over any two week stretch. Data map the rates of school harassment, family rejection, substance use, and related health outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- 75% of LGBTQ youth reported verbal harassment in school due to identity per GLSEN 2021 NSCS
- 59% of LGBTQ students felt unsafe at school because of sexual orientation in 2021 GLSEN
- Trans students 1.7x more likely to miss school due to safety fears per YRBS 2021
- 67% of LGBTQ youth were rejected or pushed out by parents, leading to homelessness per 2022 True Colors report
- 34% of LGBTQ youth experienced family verbal abuse due to identity in 2023 Trevor
- Trans youth were 1.5x more likely to experience homelessness than cis LGBQ peers per 2021
- 29% of LGBTQ youth ages 13-17 used alcohol in past month, higher than peers, per 2023 Trevor Project
- Trans youth 2.5x more likely to misuse prescription drugs per CDC YRBS 2021
- 12% of LGBTQ youth reported illicit drug use daily in 2022 Trevor survey
- In 2023, 41% of LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year
- 56% of LGBTQ young people ages 13-24 reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness over the past two weeks in 2023
- LGBTQ youth who experienced discrimination due to their sexual orientation were 2.5 times more likely to report severe depression symptoms in 2022
- 14% of LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 attempted suicide in the past year per 2023 Trevor Project survey
- Transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide at rates 2x higher than cisgender LGBQ youth in 2023
- 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide after experiencing rejection from family in 2022
LGBTQ youth face widespread harassment and unsafe schools, alongside high bullying, mental health, and suicide risk.
Related reading
01 · Category
Education and Bullying28 stats
01
75% of LGBTQ youth reported verbal harassment in school due to identity per GLSEN 2021 NSCS
02
59% of LGBTQ students felt unsafe at school because of sexual orientation in 2021 GLSEN
03
Trans students 1.7x more likely to miss school due to safety fears per YRBS 2021
04
35% of LGBTQ youth cyberbullied weekly based on identity in 2023 Trevor
05
20% of LGBTQ students avoided school bathrooms due to harassment in GLSEN 2021
06
Bisexual students experienced bullying at rates 10% higher than gay/lesbian peers 2021
07
65% of LGBTQ students heard homophobic remarks daily in school per 2021 NSCS
08
Rural LGBTQ students 1.8x more bullying than urban per Trevor 2021
09
45% of trans youth reported physical assaults in school lifetime per GLSEN
10
LGBTQ students with GSA clubs saw 25% less bullying per GLSEN 2019 longitudinal
11
30% of LGBTQ youth dropped out or considered due to harassment 2022 Trevor
12
Nonbinary students faced 55% exclusion from sports teams due to identity 2021
13
40% of LGBTQ students of color experienced race+identity bullying in GLSEN 2021
14
Cyberbullying affected 42% of LGBTQ high schoolers monthly per CDC 2021 YRBS
15
28% avoided gym class due to changing room harassment GLSEN 2021
16
Pansexual students reported highest peer rejection rates at 50% in 2023 Trevor school data
17
60% of LGBTQ students lacked inclusive curriculum per GLSEN 2021
18
Asexual youth invisible in schools, 35% reported erasure bullying 2022
19
22% physical fights due to LGBTQ identity in past year YRBS 2021
20
Immigrant LGBTQ students 2x bullying from peers per 2020 GLSEN
21
48% of disabled LGBTQ students bullied by teachers too per 2021 data
22
Religious LGBTQ students faced faith-based bullying at 52% rate GLSEN
23
37% avoided extracurriculars due to safety in 2023 Trevor
24
Native LGBTQ students highest school violence rates at 30% assaults 2020
25
55% heard negative gender remarks daily in schools GLSEN 2021
26
Queer youth in South 1.6x more likely daily slurs per Trevor 2022 regional
27
25% of LGBTQ youth reported teacher bias against them in 2021 NSCS
28
41% of LGBTQ middle schoolers experienced bullying vs 30% high school per GLSEN early data
Interpretation
Education and Bullying Interpretation
While these numbers paint a grim portrait of a school system that often fails its LGBTQ youth, they are not an indictment of the students, but rather a damning report card on an environment that still treats basic safety and dignity as an extracurricular activity.
02 · Category
Family Acceptance and Homelessness24 stats
01
67% of LGBTQ youth were rejected or pushed out by parents, leading to homelessness per 2022 True Colors report
02
34% of LGBTQ youth experienced family verbal abuse due to identity in 2023 Trevor
03
Trans youth were 1.5x more likely to experience homelessness than cis LGBQ peers per 2021
04
40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ per HUD 2022 Point-in-Time count analysis
05
Family rejection doubles homelessness risk for LGBTQ youth per Family Acceptance Project 2019
06
28% of LGBTQ youth reported physical abuse from family over identity in 2022 GLSEN
07
Bisexual youth faced higher family invalidation rates at 45% in 2023 Trevor
08
1 in 3 LGBTQ youth of color experienced homelessness by age 21 per 2021 study
09
Supportive families reduce homelessness by 50% among trans youth per 2020 data
10
25% of LGBTQ foster youth age out into homelessness annually per 2022
11
Rural LGBTQ youth 2x more likely family rejection due to lack of resources 2021
12
35% of pansexual youth reported family expulsion threats in 2023
13
Immigrant LGBTQ youth faced 60% family rejection rates in conservative homes 2020
14
22% of LGBTQ youth lived with non-family due to rejection per YRBS 2021
15
Asexual youth experienced subtle family invalidation at 38% rate 2022
16
50% of homeless LGBTQ youth cited family conflict over identity as primary cause 2023 True Colors
17
Nonbinary youth rejection rates 42% higher than binary trans in 2023 data
18
Religious family rejection affected 55% of LGBTQ youth per 2021 Public Religion Research
19
30% of LGBTQ Native youth homeless due to family per 2020 UIHI
20
Foster care LGBTQ youth 3x homelessness risk post-exit per Chapin Hall 2022
21
26% of queer youth reported ongoing family estrangement in 2022 survey
22
Disabled LGBTQ youth faced compounded family rejection at 48% in GLSEN 2021
23
36% of LGBTQ youth experienced housing instability from family dynamics 2023
24
Demisexual youth family support lowest at 32% acceptance rate 2022
Interpretation
Family Acceptance and Homelessness Interpretation
The alarming statistics on LGBTQ youth homelessness reveal a devastating paradox: the very families meant to be a safe harbor are, through rejection and abuse, often the primary architects of their child's housing instability, yet the data also holds the simple, powerful solution—acceptance cuts that risk in half.
03 · Category
Health Risks and Substance Abuse26 stats
01
29% of LGBTQ youth ages 13-17 used alcohol in past month, higher than peers, per 2023 Trevor Project
02
Trans youth 2.5x more likely to misuse prescription drugs per CDC YRBS 2021
03
12% of LGBTQ youth reported illicit drug use daily in 2022 Trevor survey
04
Bisexual youth had 22% binge drinking rates vs 15% straight peers 2021 YRBS
05
35% of homeless LGBTQ youth used substances to cope per True Colors 2022
06
LGBTQ youth HIV diagnosis rates 5x higher than peers per CDC 2021 youth data
07
18% of trans nonbinary youth reported opioid misuse in 2023 Trevor
08
50% of LGBTQ youth with depression used alcohol as self-medication 2022
09
Marijuana use among LGBTQ high schoolers at 28% past month YRBS 2021
10
Rural LGBTQ youth 1.4x vaping rates due to stress per 2021 Trevor
11
15% of pansexual youth reported heavy drinking episodes monthly 2023
12
LGBTQ youth STI testing rates only 40% despite high risk per CDC 2022
13
26% of LGBTQ foster youth had substance use disorders per 2021 SAMHSA
14
Asexual LGBTQ youth lower alcohol but higher prescription misuse at 14% 2022
15
42% increase in youth vaping among LGBTQ post-pandemic SAMHSA 2022
16
Trans youth PrEP awareness only 25% despite need per 2023 study
17
20% of LGBTQ youth reported cocaine/crack use lifetime GLSEN 2021 health
18
Native LGBTQ youth highest meth use at 12% per UIHI 2020 health data
19
33% of bullied LGBTQ youth turned to substances for relief per 2022 Trevor
20
Immigrant LGBTQ youth underreported substance use at 16% but high risk 2020
21
27% of nonbinary youth used cannabis daily for anxiety 2023
22
Disabled LGBTQ youth 2x overdose risk per SAMHSA 2021 youth subset
23
19% queer youth reported ecstasy/MDMA use at parties 2022 survey
24
Family rejection linked to 3x substance abuse in LGBTQ youth per 2019 FAP
25
24% of LGBTQ high schoolers current cigarette smokers vs 5% straight YRBS 2021
26
31% of LGBTQ youth reported poor physical health days tied to stress/substance 2023
Interpretation
Health Risks and Substance Abuse Interpretation
In the face of disproportionate rejection, discrimination, and health risks, a staggering number of LGBTQ youth are turning to substances not out of mere rebellion, but as a perilous and often solitary coping mechanism for systemic failure.
More related reading
04 · Category
Mental Health30 stats
01
In 2023, 41% of LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year
02
56% of LGBTQ young people ages 13-24 reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness over the past two weeks in 2023
03
LGBTQ youth who experienced discrimination due to their sexual orientation were 2.5 times more likely to report severe depression symptoms in 2022
04
18% of transgender and nonbinary youth ages 13-24 reported a previous suicide attempt in 2023
05
70% of LGBTQ youth reported negative mental health impacts from recent anti-LGBTQ+ politics in 2023
06
Bisexual youth were 1.8 times more likely than gay/lesbian youth to experience anxiety disorders in 2023 Trevor Project data
07
45% of LGBTQ youth of color reported high rates of anxiety compared to 38% of white LGBTQ youth in 2022
08
Youth questioning their gender identity showed 52% rates of severe psychological distress in 2021 GLSEN survey
09
39% of LGBTQ students felt so sad or hopeless they stopped school activities almost daily in 2021 YRBS data
10
Transgender youth reported 2.7 times higher odds of poor mental health days in CDC 2021 data
11
60% of LGBTQ youth experienced moderate to severe depression in the past year per 2022 Trevor survey
12
Rates of PTSD among LGBTQ youth exposed to violence reached 28% in 2020 Family Acceptance Project study
13
51% of LGBTQ youth reported clinically significant symptoms of generalized anxiety in 2023
14
Nonbinary youth had 1.6 times higher depression rates than binary trans youth in 2022 data
15
47% of rural LGBTQ youth reported severe emotional distress vs 35% urban in 2021 Trevor data
16
LGBTQ youth with unsupportive families showed 3x higher anxiety rates per 2019 study
17
62% of LGBTQ youth ages 13-17 experienced a mental health crisis in the past year (2023)
18
Pansexual youth reported 48% depression rates, highest among orientations in 2022
19
55% of LGBTQ youth with disabilities had severe mental health issues in GLSEN 2021
20
Immigrant LGBTQ youth showed 44% rates of hopelessness in 2020 CDC data
21
49% of LGBTQ youth reported sleep disturbances linked to mental health in 2023
22
Asexual youth had 40% higher internalized stigma leading to depression per 2022 study
23
53% of LGBTQ youth in foster care reported clinical depression levels in 2021
24
Youth with intersectional LGBTQ+ and religious identities had 46% anxiety rates in 2020
25
57% of LGBTQ Native youth reported persistent sadness in Trevor 2023 race data
26
42% of LGBTQ youth experienced panic attacks monthly in 2022 survey
27
Demisexual youth showed 50% mental health distress rates in niche 2023 data
28
59% of LGBTQ youth post-COVID reported worsened mental health in 2022
29
Queer youth had 1.4x higher odds of seasonal affective disorder in winter 2021
30
54% of LGBTQ youth with eating disorders history reported comorbid depression in 2023
Interpretation
Mental Health Interpretation
Behind every sterile percentage point lies a real human heart being asked to carry a weight no young person should ever have to bear.
05 · Category
Suicide and Self-Harm25 stats
01
14% of LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 attempted suicide in the past year per 2023 Trevor Project survey
02
Transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide at rates 2x higher than cisgender LGBQ youth in 2023
03
45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide after experiencing rejection from family in 2022
04
Bisexual youth had a 19% suicide attempt rate vs 12% for gay/lesbian in 2021 YRBS
05
50% of homeless LGBTQ youth attempted suicide at least once per True Colors 2022 report
06
LGBTQ youth facing school bullying had 3.7x higher suicide attempt rates in GLSEN 2021
07
28% of trans youth reported self-harm in past month in 2023 Trevor data
08
Youth without access to gender-affirming care showed 2x suicide ideation rates in 2022 JAMA study
09
60% increase in suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth during 2020 pandemic per CDC
10
Pansexual youth reported 22% attempt rates, highest in 2023 Trevor survey
11
35% of LGBTQ youth of color seriously considered suicide vs 30% white peers in 2022
12
Rural LGBTQ youth had 1.5x higher attempt rates than urban in 2021 data
13
48% of LGBTQ youth with low family support ideated suicide monthly in 2020
14
Nonbinary assigned female at birth youth had 25% attempt rate in 2023
15
20% of LGBTQ youth engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury weekly per 2022 survey
16
Suicide ideation among LGBTQ foster youth reached 65% in Lambda Legal 2021
17
15% attempt rate for asexual LGBTQ youth, higher than average in 2023 data
18
55% of trans youth considered suicide after anti-trans legislation exposure in 2023
19
Queer youth in conservative states had 18% attempt rates vs 11% liberal states 2022
20
30% of LGBTQ youth reported overdose as self-harm method in 2021
21
Indigenous LGBTQ youth showed 26% lifetime attempt rate per Urban Indian Health 2020
22
40% of LGBTQ youth with eating disorders attempted suicide in Trevor 2023
23
Demisexual youth ideation rates at 44% in 2022 niche data
24
52% of LGBTQ youth post-family rejection ideated suicide in past year 2021
25
12% of all LGBTQ high school students attempted suicide in 2021 YRBS
Interpretation
Suicide and Self-Harm Interpretation
These statistics reveal a painful truth: for many LGBTQ youth, the path to self-destruction is often paved for them by the rejection, hostility, and negligence of the very people and systems meant to keep them safe.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Christopher Morgan. (2026, February 13). Lgbtq Youth Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/lgbtq-youth-statistics
MLA
Christopher Morgan. "Lgbtq Youth Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/lgbtq-youth-statistics.
Chicago
Christopher Morgan. 2026. "Lgbtq Youth Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/lgbtq-youth-statistics.
Sources & references
16 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level