2024 FBI Report Reveals Persistent High Rates of Anti-Queer Hate Crimes in the United States

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released its 2024 annual Hate Crime Statistics Report in August 2025, revealing that anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes are stubbornly persistent even as other forms of violent crime are declining in the United States . According to the FBI, there were 2,413 single-bias hate crime incidents motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity in 2024, making LGBTQ+ people the third-most targeted group after race/ethnicity and religion .

Of these incidents, 1,950 targeted individuals due to their sexual orientation, and 463 were motivated by gender identity bias . While these numbers represent a slight decrease from 2023, advocates emphasize that the levels remain unacceptably high and that the decline in overall violent crime has not been matched by a corresponding drop in anti-LGBTQ+ targeting .

The 2025 GLAAD ALERT Desk Report paints a particularly grim picture for transgender and gender non-conforming Americans. Over the past year, 52% of all anti-LGBTQ+ incidents tracked by GLAAD targeted transgender and gender non-conforming people—a figure that has risen 14% year-over-year . The report attributes this surge in part to political rhetoric and legislative campaigns that single out transgender people for discrimination, including over 575 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in the 2025 state legislative sessions .

This hostile climate has not only resulted in physical violence, but also in harassment, threats, and intimidation—especially in public spaces, schools, and at the level of local government. The same report notes a 57% increase in incidents targeting state and local officials, many of whom are LGBTQ+ themselves or have supported inclusive policies .

Advocates and experts highlight a strong connection between the national climate—fueled by political messaging and legislative efforts—and the prevalence of hate crimes. In 2024 and 2025, the United States saw a wave of executive orders and political ads explicitly targeting transgender Americans, with $215 million spent on such campaigns during the 2024 general election cycle . These efforts coincided with widespread book bans in schools, with more than 10,000 books—including prominent LGBTQ+ titles—being removed from public school libraries in the 2023-24 academic year .

Despite this, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies achieved some legislative victories: of the more than 575 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures in 2025, 92% were ultimately defeated . Nonetheless, the persistence of anti-LGBTQ+ violence underscores the lasting impact of public discourse and policy on the safety and well-being of marginalized groups.

LGBTQ+ advocates have responded to the FBI report with a mixture of alarm and determination. Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, stated that “the data is a stark reminder that LGBTQ people, especially transgender people and people of color, remain at disproportionate risk” and called for urgent action to address hate violence and the political climate that enables it . Community organizations are calling for increased funding for support services, improvements in hate crime reporting and law enforcement response, and federal and state action to combat hate rhetoric.

Transgender activists stress the need for intersectional approaches, highlighting that the majority of recent hate crime victims are Black and Latinx transgender women, who face compounding risks due to racism and transphobia . Many LGBTQ+ people report increased fear and caution in everyday life, particularly when expressing their identities in public or participating in community events.

While the FBI’s data provides a crucial snapshot of hate crimes, experts warn that the numbers likely understate the true scope of anti-LGBTQ+ violence. Many incidents go unreported due to fears of retaliation, mistrust of law enforcement, or lack of local hate crime statutes . Additionally, some police departments do not fully participate in the FBI’s reporting program, resulting in gaps in national data .

Although the 2024 FBI report is focused on the United States, global monitoring organizations emphasize that anti-LGBTQ+ violence is not confined by national borders. The 2025 A3M LGBTQ+ Risk Map, developed in cooperation with Diversity Tourism and ITB Berlin, identified persistent risks to LGBTQ+ travelers in numerous countries, particularly where same-sex relationships or gender diversity are criminalized . The map categorizes countries by risk level, highlighting that legal protections and societal acceptance vary dramatically worldwide, impacting the safety and mobility of LGBTQ+ people on a global scale .

Advocacy groups urge a multifaceted response to ongoing violence, including:

- Strengthening hate crime laws and enforcement at the state and federal levels.
- Expanding educational initiatives to counter misinformation and promote inclusion in schools and workplaces.
- Supporting LGBTQ+ organizations that provide crisis intervention, legal advocacy, and mental health services.
- Promoting positive and accurate media representation to challenge stereotypes and reduce stigma .

Despite the challenges, LGBTQ+ leaders continue to emphasize resilience and solidarity, noting that the increased visibility of hate incidents has also galvanized support and advocacy at every level of society. As the United States prepares for another election year, activists warn that the stakes for LGBTQ+ safety and equality remain high, and that vigilance and collective action will be essential to reversing the trend of violence.