Things feel heavier in 2026?

Help us collect the data that will fuel the studies and reporting around it.

In a political climate that’s actively trying to erase LGBTQ+ Kentuckians, data about our existence is one of the most powerful tools we have, and it’s imperative we keep up with it.

Queer Kentucky first partnered with The Moore Lab, led by Drs. Justin X. Moore and Sydney P. Howard, alongside collaborating researchers Drs. Keith J. Watts and Rachel H. Farr, to launch this survey in 2024, and collected responses from more than 3,600 Kentuckians. At the time, it was one of the most comprehensive studies of LGBTQ+ Kentuckians ever conducted.

It may not seem important, but according to the National Library of Medicine, “a clear, inclusive, and accurate approach to the collection of demographic information in clinical research and medical practice is critical to understanding the healthcare needs of a specific population.”

LGBTQ+ individuals experience “undue psychological harm” when their identities are not captured accurately in survey data, the NIH abstract reads, so surveys like this one can help normalize more inclusive coverage for queer people throughout the country.

The survey is live now until the end of June 2026. Click here to participate in the survey.

Why the 2026 LGBTQ Kentucky Survey Matters

Collectively, more than 4,000 Kentuckians have responded to these surveys, and the data has been used by researchers and journalists. Data like this is essential for more accurate and inclusive reporting about LGBTQ+ Kentuckians, and ease of access allows journalists, researchers and advocates a bigger incentive to highlight queer Kentuckians in their stories.

Researcher Dr. Sydney Howard pointed out that “drive-by” research is quite common, where surveys take place but data isn’t returned to communities. This survey is not like that: the data is compiled in a dashboard for Kentuckians and those writing about Kentucky to utilize throughout journalism, policy making, academic publishing, and PHD studies.

“We are so excited for this next iteration to be released,” she said. “We know now is a scary time, but we are good stewards of the data, and we want to be able to give the data back to the community.”

Why Does Filling Out the 2026 Survey Matter?

For Moore, an epidemiologist, datasets like this survey matter immensely in creating more consistency across medical research, such as cancer research. In many surveys, questions on sexual orientation are optional, so the data is inconsistent. So how can medical professionals study rates of diseases like cervical cancer or lung cancer in the LGBTQ+ community?

“Representation matters,” Moore said, “And we need people to be accounted for. It’s clear and apparent that from a national standpoint, there are some trying to silence or mute the lived experiences of people who are here and have healthcare needs and are also at risk.”

What Does the Data Show Us?

Curious what our previous data shows? You can explore our 2024 data dashboard here, or read a story about it here. In 2024, 3,674 responses were collected, mostly from individuals identifying as gay (52.83%) or queer (11.85%).

For HIV Testing and PrEP Usage, nearly 70% of responders reported testing for HIV and about 66% reported using PrEP. When you isolate Appalachian respondents though those numbers drop to only 32% reported using PrEP and 50% of respondents testing for HIV. The 2025 data dashboard will be available soon.

“If people in Kentucky are doing this kind of research and making these kinds of connections, I think it’s a great model to adapt across the U.S.”, said Howard. “It doesn’t have to be federal level, it can be grassroots level like at Queer Kentucky. Hopefully, studies like this will inspire other researchers to do the same thing in their areas as well.”

Queer Kentucky is the only LGBTQ newsroom in the Commonwealth, and in 2025, we took a 42% funding cut. Click here to help support our journalism.