Increasing LGBTQ+ Identification
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to identify as LGBTQ+
Based on recent surveys and data, there are several notable trends regarding LGBTQ+ identification and acceptance in the United States:
Increasing LGBTQ+ Identification
The percentage of U.S. adults identifying as LGBTQ+ has been steadily rising:
- As of 2023, 7.6% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+, up from 5.6% in 2020 and 3.5% in 2012[1].
- Bisexual individuals make up the largest subgroup, representing 4.4% of U.S. adults and 57.3% of LGBTQ+ adults[1].
Generational Differences
Younger generations are significantly more likely to identify as LGBTQ+:
- Over 20% of Generation Z adults (ages 18-26 in 2023) identify as LGBTQ+[1].
- Nearly 10% of Millennials (ages 27-42) identify as LGBTQ+[1].
- The percentage drops to less than 5% for Generation X, 2% for Baby Boomers, and 1% for the Silent Generation[1].
Gender Disparities
- Women are nearly twice as likely as men to identify as LGBTQ+ (8.5% vs. 4.7%)[1].
- This gender gap is especially pronounced in younger generations, with 28.5% of Gen Z women identifying as LGBTQ+ compared to 10.6% of Gen Z men[1].
Bisexuality Trends
- Bisexuality is the most common LGBTQ+ identity among women and younger generations[1].
- Over 20% of Gen Z women identify as bisexual[1].
Coming Out and Openness
- Bisexual adults are less likely to be "out" compared to gay or lesbian adults, with only 19% of bisexual individuals saying most important people in their life know their orientation, compared to 75% of gay or lesbian adults[2].
Societal Awareness and Acceptance
- 27% of U.S. adults say they have a transgender friend, 13% have a transgender co-worker, and 10% have a transgender family member[2].
- 26% of U.S. adults know someone who uses gender-neutral pronouns, up from 18% in 2018[2].
Future Projections
If current trends continue, it's likely that the proportion of LGBTQ+ identifiers will exceed 10% of U.S. adults within the next three decades[1].
These trends reflect a complex interplay of factors, including increased societal acceptance, changing cultural norms, and greater visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals in media and public life.
Citations:
[1] https://news.gallup.com/poll/611864/lgbtq-identification.aspx
[2] https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/06/23/5-key-findings-about-lgbtq-americans/
[3] https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/report-suggests-social-trends-shaping-rapid-growth-in-lgbt-identity-lesbian-gay-trans-transgender-liberal-left-wing
[4] https://www.statista.com/topics/8579/lgbtq-worldwide/
[5] https://news.gallup.com/poll/1651/gay-lesbian-rights.aspx
[6] https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out
[7] https://www.americanprogress.org/article/state-lgbtq-community-2020/
[8] https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/