New Hopelab and Born This Way Foundation Research Reveals Digital Communities Provide Critical Support for Rural LGBTQ+ Young People

SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new research brief from Hopelab and Born This Way Foundation uncovers insights into the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people in rural communities, revealing both the significant challenges they face and the promising pathways of support that online spaces provide. Exploring Pride and Support of LGBTQ+ Young People in Rural Communities examines experiences of support in online and in-person spaces among 1,267 LGBTQ+ young people, comparing those who live in rural areas to their suburban and urban counterparts. As federal and state policies impact access to mental health and telehealth services for populations facing systemic challenges, such as higher rates of poverty and limited access to health resources, the report underscores that digital communities provide essential opportunities for LGBTQ+ young people in rural areas to express identity, access resources, and connect with others.

The insights in this report are intended to help families, schools, youth-serving organizations, tech companies, policymakers, and Queer allies better understand the online and in-person experiences of rural LGBTQ+ young people to create safer, kinder, and more supportive spaces for young people – both online and in-person.

Key Findings

• Rural LGBTQ+ young people report that their schools (28% vs. 49%), communities (13% vs 35%), and households (47% vs. 61%) are less supportive than those of their suburban/urban peers.
  
  
• Rural LGBTQ+ young people are significantly more likely than their suburban/urban peers to give (76% vs. 70%) and receive (57% vs. 51%) support through online friends and communities.
  
  
• Rural LGBTQ+ young people are significantly more likely than their suburban/urban peers to meet the threshold for depression (57% vs. 45%) and report less flourishing than their suburban/urban counterparts (43% vs 52%).
  
  
• Rural LGBTQ+ young people who receive support from those they live with are more likely to be categorized as flourishing (50% vs 35%) and less likely to meet the cutoff for depression (52% vs 63%) than their counterparts with little to no support.
  
  
• Despite having less support for LGBTQ+ people in their in-person environments, rural young people report high LGBTQ+ pride at levels comparable to their suburban/urban peers (85% vs. 86%).

Read all of the key findings and download the report here.

About the Research

This research brief highlights findings specific to LGBTQ+ young people living in rural communities compared to those in suburban/urban areas using data from an extensive research report released by Hopelab and Born This Way Foundation in March 2025. The survey was developed through a collaborative process that included young people in every step, from co-designing survey methods to youth-centered co-distillation support in interpreting results. The insights directly center on the perspectives of LGBTQ+ young people, ages 15-24, examining how they give and receive support online, their experiences with mental health and well-being, and ways they show kindness and offer support in the face of challenges.

One white, nonbinary young adult noted in their co-distillation interview, "Being neurodivergent and Queer in a small town in the South means you're not very likely to have any friends. Finding these people online was my first gateway to being treated like a normal person by my peers. It has greatly shaped who I am today in a positive way. I think I'd still be terribly depressed had I never met them."

Amy Green, Head of Research at Hopelab, underscored the importance of co-created research, noting, "Young people, especially those from rural and vulnerable populations, are often left out, but when we include their experiences and perspectives at the center of the conversation we find opportunities to see a system shift that might include safer, kinder, more inclusive spaces."

Dr. Claudia-Santi F. Fernandes, Vice President of Research and Evaluation at Born This Way Foundation, added, "Our findings highlight the urgent need for safe, affirming in-person spaces and the importance of including young people in shaping the solutions. If we want to improve outcomes, especially for LGBTQ+ young people in rural communities, their voices–and scientific evidence–must guide the work."

About Hopelab
Hopelab envisions a future where young people have equitable opportunities to live joyful and purposeful lives. As a researcher, investor, and convener, Hopelab is dedicated to fostering greater mental health and well-being outcomes for Brown, Black, and Queer young people. Learn more at hopelab.org.

About Born This Way Foundation
Born This Way Foundation, co-founded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, empowers and inspires young people to build a kinder, braver world that supports their mental health and wellbeing. Based on the scientific link between kindness and mental health and built in partnership with young people, the Foundation leverages research, programs, grantmaking, and partnerships to engage young people and connect them with accessible mental health resources. This approach comes to life through the storytelling platform Channel Kindness, the mental health training course Be There Certificate, the youth-led grantmaking program Kindness in Community Fund, and more, reaching thousands of young people around the world each year. Learn more at bornthisway.foundation.

SOURCE Hopelab