Survey Reveals Alarming Reality for Queer Women in SA and Beyond

A sobering new international study has highlighted the persistent and growing fears faced by LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people — with South African respondents revealing deeply troubling experiences of marginalisation and economic hardship.

The international survey, conducted by Kantar in partnership with the DIVA Charitable Trust and The Curve Foundation, drew insights from over 2,500 LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary individuals across South Africa, the US, UK, and India.

It paints a stark picture of safety concerns in both public and private spaces — with South Africa emerging as one of the countries where these fears are especially heightened.

Unsafe in Their Own Communities

According to the report, more than a quarter (27%) of South African respondents said they feel unsafe in their own neighbourhoods. Across all countries, 21% reported the same fear, suggesting that for LGBTQIA+ people, even home is not always a sanctuary.

“Safety remains a major concern for LGBTQIA+ individuals globally, but in South Africa, the risks are even more pronounced due to high violent crime rates and an ongoing femicide and gender-based violence (GBV) crisis,” say the authors in the report.

The issue of public transport was also flagged, with 30% of all respondents saying they feel unsafe or only somewhat safe when travelling — a reality familiar to many queer South Africans who face harassment or the threat of violence while commuting.

Online spaces aren’t much safer either, with 28% of respondents globally saying they feel unsafe or only somewhat safe on social media — and a shocking half reporting they’ve witnessed abuse online.

Workplaces: Exclusion, Misgendering, and Outing

Alarmingly, 17% of LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people said they feel unsafe at work or in educational settings — a rise from 12% last year.

Exclusion in the workplace remains a consistent concern, with 53% of respondents globally saying LGBTQIA+ inclusion initiatives are often male-dominated, leaving queer women and non-binary individuals on the sidelines.

The survey found that 44% of those who had negative experiences at work faced verbal abuse or unwanted comments, while 41% had their sexual orientation or gender identity disclosed without consent. Misgendering remains prevalent, reported by 28% of those who experienced workplace discrimination.

The Heavy Toll on LGBTQIA+ Parents

For queer parents, the landscape can be especially fraught. While 64% of participants believe that society views LGBTQIA+ couples as equally capable parents, 29% said it’s still hard to be an LGBTQIA+ parent where they live.

One South African respondent noted, “I don’t think in Black South African families, the LGBTQIA+ family formation has fully been accepted… It hasn’t been gradually accepted as yet. So, even parenting in today’s times as an African, as a Black person in South Africa, is not as easy.”

Another testimony revealed the tangible consequences of prejudice: “My daughter was taken away from me by child welfare because of my bisexual orientation.”

These lived realities speak to systemic discrimination that goes beyond societal judgment — touching the most personal and painful aspects of queer family life.

The Economic Divide

In South Africa, the intersection of financial hardship and queer identity is particularly stark. Nearly half (47%) of respondents reported difficulty affording basic needs, further compounding the stress faced by those already marginalised by their gender or sexual identity.

Globally, 78% of LGBTQIA+ respondents said they expect brands they support to actively promote diversity and inclusion. However, one-third still felt unrepresented in advertising for products they use — a sign that visibility in the commercial world remains performative or lacking in authenticity.

As Nancy Kelley of the DIVA Charitable Trust puts it: “Visibility has become not just about representation, but about survival. Ensuring that our experiences are seen and heard is critical to pushing back against erasure and defending our rights.”

A Call for Action

Caroline Frankum, Chair of Kantar’s Profiles division, adds: “Millions of LGBTQIA+ women around the world are being let down by their communities, workplaces and businesses, and living their lives in fear… If they don’t feel safe on public transport or in their place of work, then the organisations that run these spaces need to step up.”

Despite the grim findings, there are glimmers of progress. The survey found that familial acceptance is slowly improving, with two-thirds of respondents now believing that their children would be supported by extended family if they came out — a significant shift from the experiences of past generations.

Still, for many lesbian and queer women, the fight is far from over. The data underscores the urgency for intersectional policies, inclusive workspaces, safer public environments, and authentic representation — not just during symbolic campaigns, but as a daily practice.

To read the full report, click here.