Pew Knight Initiative
The Pew-Knight Initiative supports new research on how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage in their communities.
Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. Knight Foundation is a social investor committed to supporting informed and engaged communities. Learn more >
About half of LGBTQ Americans (49%) say they are part of an online community, according to a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults from the Pew-Knight Initiative. This drops to 35% among those who are not LGBTQ.
LGBTQ Americans stand out for being part of online communities
% of U.S. adults who say they are part of online communities
Note: For details on how we asked about being part of online communities, refer to the topline.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted May 26-June 1, 2026.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
LGBTQ Americans stand out for being part of online communities
% of U.S. adults who say they are part of online communities
| % | |
|---|---|
| U.S. adults | 36 |
| Among those who … | |
| Are LGBTQ | 49 |
| Are not LGBTQ | 35 |
Note: For details on how we asked about being part of online communities, refer to the topline.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted May 26-June 1, 2026.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Since the early days of the internet, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have carved out spaces for themselves in the digital world. In our survey, these Americans are also more likely than those who aren’t LGBTQ to describe online communities as valuable and to say they turn to the ones they visit most for acceptance.
Online communities are especially valuable in the lives of LGBTQ adults
Among U.S. adults in online communities, % who say online communities bring __ value to their life
Note: For details on how we asked about being part of online communities, refer to the topline. Those who did not answer or who gave other answers are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted May 26-June 1, 2026.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Online communities are especially valuable in the lives of LGBTQ adults
Among U.S. adults in online communities, % who say online communities bring __ value to their life
| A great deal | Quite a bit | NET | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. adults | 6 | 21 | 27 |
| Among those who … | |||
| Are LGBTQ | 13 | 29 | 42 |
| Are not LGBTQ | 5 | 20 | 25 |
Note: For details on how we asked about being part of online communities, refer to the topline. Those who did not answer or who gave other answers are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted May 26-June 1, 2026.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Among those in online communities:
- About four-in-ten LGBTQ Americans say these spaces bring a great deal or quite a bit of value to their lives, compared with a quarter of those who are not LGBTQ.
- 73% of LGBTQ adults say a reason they visit their go-to community is because they feel accepted there. This drops to about half for adults who aren’t LGBTQ.
LGBTQ adults in online communities are also more likely than those who aren’t LGBTQ to cite several other reasons for being involved in the spaces they visit most, like sharing thoughts and seeing if there’s drama. (The differences discussed hold up even when we take other factors into consideration, like age.)
Most LGBTQ adults in online communities go there for acceptance, versus about half who aren’t LGBTQ
Among U.S. adults in online communities, % who say each of the following is a reason they go to their most-visited community
Note: For details on how we asked about being part of online communities, refer to the topline. Major/minor reason are combined. Statistically significant differences in bold. Difference values shown are based on subtracting the rounded numbers in the chart. Those who did not answer or said “not a reason” are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted May 26-June 1, 2026.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Most LGBTQ adults in online communities go there for acceptance, versus about half who aren’t LGBTQ
Among U.S. adults in online communities, % who say each of the following is a reason they go to their most-visited community
| Are LGBTQ | Are not LGBTQ | DIFF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| They feel accepted there | 73 | 51 | 22 |
| To meet new people | 58 | 40 | 18 |
| To share their thoughts | 83 | 66 | 17 |
| To see if there’s drama | 47 | 30 | 17 |
| For fun | 94 | 81 | 13 |
| To get support | 74 | 62 | 12 |
| To get advice or recommendations | 80 | 78 | 2 |
| To stay informed | 87 | 86 | 1 |
Note: For details on how we asked about being part of online communities, refer to the topline. Major/minor reason are combined. Statistically significant differences in bold. Difference values shown are based on subtracting the rounded numbers in the chart. Those who did not answer or said “not a reason” are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted May 26-June 1, 2026.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
The importance of online connection for LGBTQ adults extends beyond the communities they participate in. LGBTQ Americans are more likely than those who aren’t LGBTQ to say relationships that form online can be just as meaningful as in-person ones (59% vs. 31%).
LGBTQ adults are more likely than those who aren’t LGBTQ to think online relationships can be just as meaningful as in-person
% U.S. adults who say that in general, they think personal relationships people form online __ as in-person relationships.
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted May 26-June 1, 2026.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
LGBTQ adults are more likely than those who aren’t LGBTQ to think online relationships can be just as meaningful as in-person
% U.S. adults who say that in general, they think personal relationships people form online __ as in-person relationships.
| Are not as meaningful | Can be just as meaningful | Not sure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. adults | 47 | 34 | 20 |
| Among those who … | |||
| Are LGBTQ | 29 | 59 | 12 |
| Are not LGBTQ | 49 | 31 | 20 |
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted May 26-June 1, 2026.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
The online communities people visit most cover a vast range of topics. LGBTQ adults also differ from those who are not LGBTQ in what kinds of online communities they’re part of overall. For example, they’re more likely to be part of spaces about movies, books or TV shows, hobbies, video games, and for people of their gender.
Chart: What kinds of online communities do LGBTQ adults stand out for being part of?
Even as online communities can offer connection and value, these spaces can have their downsides. LGBTQ adults who have left an online community are more likely than those who aren’t LGBTQ to say a reason for leaving was people being harassed (57% vs. 41%) or not feeling they belonged (57% vs. 44%).
Chart: Why do LGBTQ Americans leave online communities?
Note: Here are the survey questions used for this analysis, the detailed responses and the methodology.
