Record number of Americans identify as LGBTQ — Analysis
Gallup’s new phone survey found that adult Americans identify as being something else than heterosexual, reaching 7.1%.
This metric has nearly doubled in the past year since the company began keeping such data. 3.5% of those who gave their information about sexual orientation or gender identity indicated that they are part of the LGBTQ community.
According to the polling agency, this increase is indicative of a greater relevance of these identities in younger generations. The GenZs are people who were born between 1997-2003 and 20.8% identified themselves as LGBTQ. Comparatively, 2.6% of the Baby Boomers who were born between 1946-64 responded in this way.
Millennials (born 1981-1996, in Gallup’s terms) were the second-largest age group in terms of LGBTQ representation, but were also among the least likely to name their identity. This is the same percentage as people who were born after 1949. 7.1% of respondents declined to answer this question. Among GenZs, only 3.5% didn’t want to divulge this information.
The most significant growth in LGBTQ identification occurred among GenZ/Millenials. Over the years, however, older generations have seen a steady increase in such individuals. GenZ saw a doubled increase in LGBTQ identification since 2017 when it was at 10.5%. Over the years, a greater portion of the generation reached adulthood and became eligible for Gallup’s poll, it noted.
Over half (56.8%) of LGBTQ Americans identified as bisexual. GenZ is home to 72% of bisexuals. Transgender, gay, and lesbian people make up 20.7%, 139%, and 10%, respectively. The remaining 4% goes to the “something other” category.
“These young adults are coming of age, including coming to terms with their sexuality or gender identity, at a time when Americans increasingly accept gays, lesbians and transgender people, and LGBT individuals enjoy increasing legal protection against discrimination,”Gallup commented on the study.
Ipsos’s online survey found that only 11% of Americans identified their sexual orientation to be heterosexual. Only 13% indicated they were attracted to the same sex.
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