Aim <p>Sexual minorities include gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender individuals, and intersex persons. Research related to sexual minorities is rapidly expanding and has become a prominent topic of interest. However, a comprehensive bibliometric overview of sexual minority research in the field of nursing remains largely unexplored. This highlights the need for a systematic analysis of the current research status and trends related to sexual minorities in nursing, to assist researchers in advancing their work effectively. Therefore, this study aims to explore the current state and development trends of research on sexual minorities in the nursing field.</p> Methods <p>We conducted a search of the Web of Science (WOS) database for articles published between 2009 and December 31, 2023, related to sexual minorities. The data collected included the number of publications, authors, journals, countries, institutions, and keywords. Bibliometric analysis and visualization were performed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace.</p> Results <p>We analyzed a total of 763 publications, revealing a growing trend in the number of studies related to sexual minorities in the field of nursing research. A stable core group of authors has emerged in this area, with strong collaboration among them. The United States leads with 496 publications, and the most frequently published journal is Janac-Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. The leading research institution is Columbia University, indicating that the U.S. has a relatively well-established research framework in the nursing field concerning sexual minorities, positioning it as a leader in this domain. Based on keyword analysis, timeline views, and significance mapping, we identify "transgender" and healthcare for sexual minorities as emerging research hotspots within nursing. This is likely due to the unique challenges they face in gender identity and expression, such as mental health issues, healthcare needs, and social discrimination. Moreover, the significant increase in related studies in recent years reflects the growing attention in nursing research to their health needs.</p> Conclusion <p>This study provides an overview of the research status and development trends of sexual minorities in global nursing research. The findings offer valuable insights and guidance for future research directions related to sexual minorities in the nursing field.</p>