Research Lab

LGBTQ+ Young People Survey

In response to today’s challenging environment for queer and trans young people, the Wanda Alston Foundation released a community survey to identify and analyze the urgent issues facing young people in DC ages 18 to 30.

This research initiative is made possible by support from the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs and Professor Gabriele Magni at Loyola Marymount University.

Read the Report

The community survey designed by the Wanda Alston Foundation and Loyola Marymount University’s LGBTQ+ Politics Research Initiative was fielded to the D.C. community, along with over 20 non-profit, government, advocacy and business partners.

In total, 304 LGBTQ+ young people aged 18-30 who were residents of Washington, D.C., completed the survey in March and April 2026, thanks to multiple outreach strategies, including paid digital ads, in-person outreach, and other communication channels.

Together, we are able to share these sobering findings to inform the community, specifically:

LGBTQ+ Housing & Shelter Crisis 

  • One in four experienced housing instability in their lifetime, with 67% of these experiencing housing instability within the past year.

Affordability Cliff & Queer Flight

  • Despite high workforce participation, DC’s LGBTQ+ young people are being priced out. A staggering 79% reported difficulty paying rent or mortgage, a sharp contrast to the approximately 45-50% rent-burdened rate seen in the general D.C. population. 

  • Nearly half reported struggling to afford basic necessities.

  • 1 in 3 said they were considering leaving the District because of housing insecurity.

The Loneliness Paradox 

  • In one of the most visible LGBTQ+ hubs in the country, a profound isolation persists. Over 80% feel isolated often or some of the time. 

  • More than half rate their mental health as only "fair" or "poor."

Alarming Health-Risk Behaviors 

  • Tobacco and nicotine use, alcohol use, and marijuana use were significantly higher among LGBTQ+ youth than the D.C. Department of Health’s benchmarks for the general adult population.

  • Document disparities by race, gender identity, sexual orientation, housing status, and employment status.

  • Inform policy, program design and funding priorities for LGBTQ+ youth services.