LGBTQ women voters are more engaged – and more progressive – than straight women

Washington DC (August 31, 2020) – When it comes to voting and civic engagement, LGBTQ women are a group to watch. The community as a whole is significantly more likely than straight women to be tuned in and to be active for progressive causes this election year.

LGBTQ women across ages and races are: 

• more likely to vote for Joe Biden – by a 20-point margin (75% v 55%)

• more motivated to take political action, like voting or signing a petition (64% v 46%), and

• more likely to be concerned about the scourge of racism in America – at 39%, it’s a 29-point increase over last year’s findings, reflecting a uniquely deep engagement with current events.

• on average nearly 10 points more likely than straight women to say they will vote by mail this November.

Though there are distinctions within the community, overall it’s a staunchly progressive demographic engaged with and passionate about values-based issues, which makes them ready and willing to donate, sign petitions, and vote if organizations and candidates reach out and recognize them.

Drilling down by age:

LGBTQ women over 50 are more likely to vote than their younger counterparts -- 90% vs about 74% -- and they are more concerned about healthcare (White LGBTQ women under 50: 25% vs over 50: 43%, and Black LGBTQ women under 50: 14% vs over 50: 35%). 

LGBTQ women over the age of 50 are extremely likely to vote in November, with 90% saying they are motivated. This compares to just 75% of straight women who are 50 or older.

LGBTQ women under the age of 50 are also more motivated to vote compared to their straight counterparts: 75% to 68%, and with a striking 20-point gap among “very motivated” voters.

Older women are also most likely to be split when it comes to their Presidential vote. LGBTQ women over 50 prefer Biden to Trump by a 57-point margin, compared to a 2-point margin among older straight women.

By race:

On the issues, race is a stronger predictor than sexual orientation or gender identity.

Though racism is currently the top concern among the entire LGBTQ women’s community, Black (55%) and Latina (48%) LGBTQ women are more likely than white LGBTQ women (33%) to cite it as their top concern. 

And Black and Latina women overall were most concerned about racism regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, while white women overall chose healthcare as their biggest issue focus. 

For white, straight women, racism comes in third, after healthcare, then the economy and jobs. 

“When it comes to voter engagement and attitudes in women, we knew that race and age mattered, but with this survey we know now that sexual orientation matters, too -- a lot,” said senior director of research Lisa Turner. “It’s a demographic that is highly motivated this cycle and shouldn’t be overlooked in outreach by candidates or progressive organizations.”

Go deeper, including into the trans and gender non-conforming community, here.