.lgbt

Overview

• .lgbt is a top-level domain created to serve the LGBTQ community and related businesses, organizations and individuals.
• The string is described as a sponsored top-level domain and is also listed among ICANN's new gTLDs.
• It was delegated to the DNS Root Zone on 18 July 2014.
• Registry/sponsor information in sources: initially managed by Afilias (ICANNWiki); listed as sponsored and sponsored by Identity Digital (Wikipedia), with Identity Digital noted as successor to Afilias.
• DNSSEC: yes.
• Registered domains: 2,841 (data date: 20 February 2017).

History

• Delegation to the Root Zone: 18 July 2014.
• The first .lgbt websites went live in early 2015 (press coverage in February 2015).
• The TLD was applied for and evaluated under ICANN's New gTLD Program; application materials describe the mission and intended use of the string.
• The Independent Objector reviewed objections to several "controversial" strings (including .lgbt) and concluded that objections were not supported under international law. A community objection from the International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) was dismissed by an ICDR panel (determination dated 16 November 2013).

Usage and Audience

• Intended use: create a dedicated namespace for individuals, businesses and organizations connected to LGBT issues, topics and communities.
• Typical users: LGBTQ-focused businesses and organizations, advocacy groups, media outlets and individuals wanting to reach or identify with the LGBTQ community.
• Applicant projections (from the application): anticipated that the TLD would foster shared identity and trust and forecasted capturing a subset of the market, with a projection of approximately 20,000 domains under management by year three (applicant forecast).

Registration Rules

• Availability: described as an open TLD generally available to all registrants after the Sunrise period (subject to Sunrise restrictions during that phase).
• Registration term: domains generally offered for periods of one to ten years (no greater than ten years).
• Sunrise: initial registrations made in the Sunrise period may have a minimum required registration period (application example mentioned a five-year minimum for Sunrise names).
• Eligibility/restrictions: promoted for and open to LGBTQ businesses, organizations and anyone wishing to reach the LGBTQ community.
• Dispute policy: UDRP.

SEO and Brand Impact

• Purpose and brand positioning: marketed to promote diversity and to provide a namespace where LGBT-related organizations and businesses can build relevant, trust-focused identities.
• The applicant framed .lgbt as a tool to foster a sense of shared identity and to help registrants establish meaningful and relevant online identities tied to LGBT topics and audiences.
• No specific technical search-engine treatment details are provided in the sources.

Notable Cases or Examples

• Early adopters/first sites: PinkNews and Out Now Consulting were among the first organizations to launch .lgbt websites.
• Community objection: ILGA filed a community objection that was dismissed by an ICDR panel; the Independent Objector reviewed and commented on objections to .lgbt among other "controversial strings," concluding objections were not warranted under international law.

% IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object

domain:       LGBT

organisation: Identity Digital Limited
address:      c/o Identity Digital Inc.
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)

contact:      administrative
name:         Vice President, Engineering
organisation: Identity Digital Limited
address:      c/o Identity Digital Inc.
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)
phone:        +1.425.298.2200
fax-no:       +1.425.671.0020
e-mail:       tldadmin@identity.digital

contact:      technical
name:         Senior Director, DNS Infrastructure Group
organisation: Identity Digital Limited
address:      c/o Identity Digital Inc.
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)
phone:        +1.425.298.2200
fax-no:       +1.425.671.0020
e-mail:       tldtech@identity.digital

nserver:      A0.NIC.LGBT 2a01:8840:22:0:0:0:0:1 65.22.32.1
nserver:      A2.NIC.LGBT 2a01:8840:25:0:0:0:0:1 65.22.35.1
nserver:      B0.NIC.LGBT 2a01:8840:23:0:0:0:0:1 65.22.33.1
nserver:      C0.NIC.LGBT 2a01:8840:24:0:0:0:0:1 65.22.34.1
ds-rdata:     16912 8 2 58fc6791daa780f1b589fb72ce7f1e43f39dcd185df0e57ae60178e81fa174b6

whois:        

status:       ACTIVE
remarks:      Registration information: https://www.identity.digital/

created:      2014-06-26
changed:      2025-09-04
source:       IANA