Share of Physical Assaults on LGBT People in Spain Rose from 7% to 22%, “State of Hate 2026” Report Says

On 16 April 2026, the Spanish organisation FELGTBI+, together with the Institute of Public Goods and Policies (IPP) at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), presented the report State of Hate 2026 (Estado del Odio 2026). The study is based on 800 interviews. RTVE covered the findings.

In the past year, 54 percent of respondents experienced some form of anti-LGBT hate, in person or online; 22 percent reported a physical assault. Four in ten experienced harassment on social media.

Between 2024 and 2026, the reported prevalence of harassment rose from 20 to 36 percent, discrimination from 23 to 29 percent, and physical assaults from 7 to 22 percent.

According to the report, among people who had suffered hate crimes in the last five years, half had gone through more than three such episodes. María Rodríguez, head of research at FELGTBI+, said this points to a repeated pattern rather than isolated incidents.

Co-author Laura Morales, a research professor at IPP (CSIC), stresses serious effects on emotional well-being: respondents more often reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, apathy, loneliness, anger, and fear. The report also discusses forced relocation linked to sexual orientation or gender identity (often referred to in Spanish as sexilio), regardless of municipality size.

The publication warns that persistently high levels of hate over two years may reflect a social and political climate in which violence against LGBT people is tolerated or legitimised; without effective action by authorities, the pattern could become structural.

FELGTBI+ president Paula Iglesias called for urgent adoption of a national pact against hate speech targeting vulnerable groups and for comprehensive victim support through police and judicial channels.

Among those who reported violence, 74 percent had negative experiences with the process and 57 percent positive ones; the share filing complaints reached 35 percent in 2026, nearly double the 2024 level. Only 15 percent of victims sought help exclusively from the police or other state bodies, while 41 percent turned to an LGBT organisation. Women, and lesbians in particular, were the least likely to report incidents. Rodríguez said about half of those who experienced hate did not file a complaint, partly because they doubt authorities’ effectiveness and training.