National Survey Reveals Black Perspectives on LGBTQ+ People and Rights

The National Black Justice Coalition, an LGBTQ advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., has announced the results of its commissioned national survey concerning Black perspectives on LGBTQ+ people and issues. Conducted by the research firm HIT Strategies with support from five other LGBTQ organizations, the survey involved 1,300 participants and is among the first to explicitly focus on Black perspectives.

Key findings from the survey include:

• Support for LGBTQ+ Rights: Approximately 65% of Black respondents identified as supporters of Black LGBTQ+ people and rights, with 57% of these supporters being churchgoers.
• Generational Views: Among Gen Z respondents (ages 12 to 27 in 2024), 73% believe the Black community should do more to support Black LGBTQ+ people.
• Family and Community Ties: 40% of respondents reported having a family member who identifies as LGBTQ+, and 80% acknowledged some proximity to gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer people.
• Shared Fate: While 86% of Black respondents feel a shared fate with other Black people, only 51% feel this sense of connectivity extends to the Black LGBTQ+ community.
• Youth Suicide Awareness: A notable 92% expressed concern about youth suicide among Black LGBTQ+ youth after being presented with relevant statistics.
• Support Groups: Respondents’ support for LGBTQ+ rights could be categorized into Active Accomplices (29%), Passive Allies (25%), and Opponents (35%), with religious beliefs and competing priorities being significant barriers for Opponents.

The survey also provided specific demographics about Black LGBTQ+ individuals, with 10% of participants identifying as LGBTQ. Of these, 38% identified as bisexual, 33% as lesbian or gay, 28% as non-binary or gender non-conforming, and 6% as transgender.

Further details about the survey can be found at nbjc.org.