This research analyzes over 1.4 million comments across 3,161 YouTube news videos to understand how users engage with LGBTQ+ content in mainstream media.

Key findings:

• Developed a fine-grained hope speech classifier to detect positive, negative, neutral, and irrelevant content
• Provided comprehensive analysis of user interactions with LGBTQ+ news content
• Created valuable insights through consultation with public health experts
• Established a framework for distinguishing between supportive and harmful discourse

Medical Significance: This research offers a vital resource for the LGBTQ+ community by identifying supportive content and harmful rhetoric, with direct implications for mental health outcomes and community wellbeing.

Hope vs. Hate: Understanding User Interactions with LGBTQ+ News Content in Mainstream US News Media through the Lens of Hope Speech