Study Finds Widespread Hate Speech Against LGBTIQ+ Community on Social Media

Cancun, Quintana Roo — A quick glance at the comments section of any social media post related to the LGBTIQ+ community reveals a flood of discriminatory, threatening, and violent messages, according to a new study.

Nohamy Armida Nieves, head of the Directorate of Attention to Sexual Diversity for the municipality of Benito Juarez, said that LGBTIQ+ individuals face discrimination not only in daily life on the streets or at work but also online.

The comments come as May 17 marks the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, a date aimed at raising awareness and eradicating discrimination, hatred, and violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

According to statistics from the anthropological research agency Dinamic, four out of every 10 social media users engage in discrimination and attacks against the LGBTIQ+ community. Additionally, up to 70% of LGBTIQ+ individuals report having experienced some form of phobia online.

Facebook accounted for 56% of such interactions, followed by X (formerly Twitter) with 20% and TikTok with 7%. However, supportive and defensive comments also appear in three out of every 10 user interactions.

Armida Nieves acknowledged that these displays of hatred have become common on social media, where many people use fake or anonymous accounts specifically to target the community.

“I am a clear example of how hateful comments and rejection on social media impact a person on a personal and professional level,” she said.

She stressed the need to eliminate biases and promote awareness and absolute respect starting from the family, the media, and the general public.

“Attacks against sexual diversity are also based on physical appearance, such as overweight people, older adults, people with disabilities, among others,” she explained. “This should not be tolerated, as they are constant targets of phobias and hate speech.”

She added that the collective responsibility is to transform this environment into a safe, inclusive, and dignified space for every individual, without exception.