LGTBIphobia: uOne in four LGBTI+ people suffer discrimination in Spain and attacks double in one year
Is coming International Day against LGTBIphobia, May 17, and headlines about the state of the group begin to arrive. Studies, institutional statements and data, lots of data that warn of an increase in the LGBTophobia en Spain. It's not good news. The LGBTophobia It is perpetuated through new forms of discrimination, fueled by hate speech, political polarization and a still insufficient institutional response.
La LGTBI+ State Federation has presented the report 'State of Hate: LGBTI+ State 2025', a comprehensive analysis of the impact of hatred towards people LGBTI+ in SpainThis study puts figures and context to a systematic violence that, far from diminishing, is increasing.
According to the report, based on a sample of 800 interviews made by 40dB, the population LGTBI + reach the 11,1% of the total Spanish population over 18 years of age - which translates to approximately 5 million people—, an alarming proportion of whom have seen their fundamental rights violated in the last year.
812.000 people attacked
The study reveals that the 20,3% of LGBTI+ people have experienced harassment, whether through insults, social isolation, or coercion in the digital environment, which is equivalent to 819.000 people. Discrimination, in areas such as employment, access to services, or housing, affects 25,25% of the group (approximately 1.282 people). Even more worrying is the increase in physical or verbal aggression, which go from 6,80% in 2024 to 16,25% in 2025, an increase of 9,45 points which translates into 812.000 people attacked in the last year.
This increase in violence is not an isolated reality. European statistics and data from the Ministry of the Interior They also warn of a similar increase in hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
"We are facing an alarming normalization of hatred, amplified by political discourses that legitimize symbolic violence and pave the way for physical violence.", he warned Paula Iglesias, President of the LGTBI+ State FederationIn this sense, he pointed out that “We are talking about fundamental rights and lives that are at risk today due to an impunity that we cannot continue to allow.".
LGBTIphobia is the second leading cause of hate crimes in Spain.
People between the ages of 25 and 34, especially transgender people and those with lower incomes, are among the most vulnerable groups to hate. The combination of age, gender identity, and socioeconomic status significantly increases the risk of experiencing harassment, discrimination, and physical or verbal attacks.
According to the data, 23,76% of people between the ages of 25 and 34 have been victims of an attack in the past year. Within this same group, 35,64% have experienced discrimination and 28,22% have been harassed. Furthermore, the incidence of these attacks is worse among those with fewer economic resources: 24,47% have experienced aggression, 29,79% discrimination, and 21,12% harassment. These percentages underscore that age, precariousness, and, particularly alarmingly, gender identity are intersectional factors that increase exposure to hate.
Underreporting and institutional distrust persist
Despite the harshness of these figures, underreporting remains high: 46,09% of victims do not go to the authorities. Only 26,82% file a formal complaint, and 27,09% turn to legal entities. LGTBI +. Among the reasons for not reporting are the idea that “it won't do any good", "Lack of evidence"and the fear of not being believed. Furthermore, 33,33% of those who report confess that the process was as traumatic as the incident itself, stating that "they gave me a bad time".
The perception of LGBTophobia also becomes more acute. 27,13% of people LGTBI + considers that discrimination has worsened compared to 2024; 31% think the same about the physical violence; and 31,25% indicate an increase in hate speechThis sense of regression is also reflected in trust in institutions, where the assessment of "a lot or quite a lot" of involvement by State Security Forces and Corps falls from 31,88% to 25,45% among those who have suffered physical or verbal abuse.
"These data not only portray an unbearable reality, they also clearly point to what's going wrong. Without resources, without mandatory human rights training, and without legislation that takes a stand against hate speech, we will continue to add victims. It's time to stop looking the other way," he warned. Churches.
