This #LVW25, we asked LGBTQIA families around the world about their experiences for this groundbreaking research
BY DIVA STAFF, IMAGE BY GETTY
The results from the DIVA Survey 2025 have been released to kick off Lesbian Visibility Week. Our annual survey with Kantar, the people behind the world’s first inclusion index, will help us to understand the experiences of LGBTQIA individuals as parents.
This year we launched our annual survey in the UK, US, India and South Africa to find out more about the perspectives of parents raising LGBTQIA children and LGBTQIA parents. Key questions we asked were: What are the unique experiences and challenges of LGBTQIA parents? How do parents navigate raising children who identify as LGBTQIA? In what ways do factors such as race, ethnicity, socio-economic background, or disability intersect with LGBTQIA parenting experiences?
The following findings represent the experiences of more than 2,500 LGBTQIA women and non-binary people. This new groundbreaking research will help push forward research, education, and advocacy supporting LGBTQIA families.
Speaking about this year’s survey, Nancy Kelley, Executive Director of DIVA Charitable Trust, said: “LGBTQIA+ rights are under accelerating attack around the world. 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. As always, understanding the challenges we face in workplaces, media, and public life, helps us advocate for meaningful change.”
Almost ⅓ of respondents say it’s hard to be an LGBTQIA parent where they live
While 64% of respondents believe that LGBTQIA couples are as equally capable parents as cisgender, heterosexual couples, many flagged the difficulties they face parenting where they live.
Commenting on the findings, Caroline Frankum, Chair, Profiles division and Executive Sponsor, Pride ERG, Kantar, said: “Promisingly, the research points to familial acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people growing over time. Fewer than two in five respondents told us they would have felt completely comfortable discussing gender identity with their parents or guardians growing up. But now, two thirds think their children would be supported by their extended families if they came out as gay, lesbian or bisexual.”
Four out of five LGBTQIA people say it’s important that the brands they buy from actively promote diversity and inclusion.
At a time where DEI initiatives are being threatened globally, this stands as a stark reminder that consumers are invested in companies promoting diverse and inclusive environments. One third of respondents said that they felt underrepresented in adverts for products they use. With LGBTQIA people representing $3.9 trillion in buying power, it’s clear this needs to change.
Local perspectives show a lack of safety and representation
Across the UK, US, South Africa and India, it’s clear that LGBTQIA people face different obstacles than their heterosexual peers. In South Africa, more than a quarter of respondents said they felt unsafe in their own neighbourhoods. In the UK, 60% of respondents said that they had no LGBTQIA role models growing up, a harrowing reminder of the impact of Section 28, a UK law that prohibited local authorities from “promoting homosexuality.”
You can see the full survey results below.
To read the full report “Living bold, loving proud: LGBTQIA+ parenthood in a changing world” visit: kantar.com/campaigns/2025-kantar-diva-report.
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