The preliminary results are in—and they speak volumes.
Pride Corpus Christi and The Mosaic Project of South Texas recently launched a community demographics survey to better understand the needs, identities, and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the Coastal Bend. With 81 responses collected so far, the data is not only illuminating but also deeply instructive. It paints a vivid picture of who we are—and the systemic challenges we must address together.
A Portrait of the Community
The survey shows a wide diversity in gender identity and sexual orientation, with significant representation from transgender, non-binary, and genderfluid individuals, and a strong majority identifying as gay, bisexual, or queer. Racially, the community is predominantly Hispanic/Latino, underscoring the intersectional lens needed to address social issues in our region.
Educational attainment spans a wide range, with many respondents having attended some college or holding bachelor’s degrees. Despite this, household income tells a more sobering story: over 50% of respondents earn less than $50,000 annually, and a substantial portion fall below the $25,000 line. Nearly half of all respondents also report experiencing economic hardship.
A Striking Disconnect: Safety and Resource Access
One of the most striking insights emerges in how community members rate their sense of safety. While some report moderate to high feelings of safety (3-5), a significant portion rate it poorly (1-2)—suggesting ongoing concerns around visibility, harassment, and public hostility. This is especially concerning in a region where LGBTQIA+ protections are uneven or lacking.
Resource satisfaction follows a similar pattern. A considerable number of respondents express dissatisfaction or neutrality when it comes to accessing the resources they need. When asked which types of services they value most, the data clearly favors mental health support, community resources, and safe space events. However, satisfaction with existing offerings in these areas remains mixed.
Systemic Barriers in the Coastal Bend
These results point to persistent, systemic challenges: income inequality, inadequate access to affirming healthcare, and limited public infrastructure for LGBTQIA+ safety and wellbeing. For example, the desire for more accessible mental health services and safe spaces reflects not just preference—but necessity. It’s a call to action in a region where LGBTQIA+ youth are disproportionately vulnerable to isolation, depression, and economic marginalization.
Moreover, responses related to community support services highlight gaps in housing, employment, education, and healthcare access —areas long known to suffer from underinvestment in South Texas.
Charting a Path Forward
For Pride Corpus Christi and The Mosaic Project of South Texas, this data is not just informative—it’s transformative.
It strengthens our ability to advocate with precision. Whether it’s applying for targeted grants, advocating for equitable policies, or structuring new programs, these insights equip us to act intentionally and inclusively. Programs such as expanded mental health support groups, housing referral systems, and job training tailored to LGBTQIA+ individuals are logical next steps.
We also see an opportunity to foster deeper partnerships with city leaders, local schools, healthcare providers, and employers to collectively raise the standard of safety and inclusivity.
Your Voice Matters
If you haven’t yet taken the survey, we need you.
Your voice fills in the gaps. Your experience adds to the momentum. And as a thank-you, you’ll earn a $30 credit toward future Pride Corpus Christi event tickets. Once we receive an adequate number of responses following June’s Pride month, the full report will be available on The Mosaic Project of South Texas website.
Take 5 minutes. Shape the next 5 years.
Together, we can turn data into action—and action into lasting change.
