LGBT Tech Featured in GovTech’s Spotlight on Digital Equity and LGBTQ+ Access

LGBT Tech is proud to be featured in GovTech’s recent article, “What’s New in Digital Equity: Maine’s Tech Help Initiative,” which highlights the urgent need for inclusive digital access as states continue rolling out broadband and digital literacy initiatives.

Read the Full Article

As the article notes, our Beyond Binary: LGBTQ+ Rights in the Digital Landscape report offers critical insight into how LGBTQ+ individuals, especially transgender adults, rely on the internet as a lifeline. Whether it’s accessing telehealth services, learning new skills, or finding affirming community spaces online, digital access plays a vital role in the daily lives of LGBTQ+ people.

In fact, our findings show that 73% of LGBTQ+ adults use the internet for learning, and 41% use it to search for job opportunities. The need is even more pronounced for transgender individuals, who disproportionately depend on the internet for safe and accessible support.

Yet, despite this reliance, fewer than half of state digital equity plans even mention LGBTQ+ communities, let alone address the unique barriers they face. This absence has real-world consequences, particularly as well-intentioned online safety regulations increasingly risk blocking access to affirming LGBTQ+ content.

We’re grateful to GovTech for highlighting these realities and elevating LGBT Tech’s work. As states like Maine roll out new digital equity initiatives, it's essential that these efforts are guided by inclusive research, community voices, and the lived experiences of the people most impacted by the digital divide.