More Americans Are Identifying As LGBTQ Than Ever Before

A recent poll has found that more Americans are identifying as LGBTQ than ever before, with the highest surge seen in Gen Z. 

According to a Gallup poll released on Wednesday, 5.6% of adults in the US identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. This is up by 4.7%, from the company’s 2017 data. When this survey initially began in 2011, the number was 3.5%.

To get as precise information as possible, respondents were asked to indicate their exact sexual orientation – instead of just ticking ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

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Of those who identified in this category, the survey found that 54.6% considered themselves to be bisexual, while a quarter (24.5%) see themselves as gay, 11.7% as lesbian and 11.3% as transgender. In addition to this, 3.3% used another non-heterosexual term, such as queer or same-gender-loving. People also had the option of selecting multiple.

It was found that Gen Z (born between 1997 to 2002), was the highest percentage to identify as this, with the poll revealing it was at 15.9%. This is in comparison to 9.1% of Millennials (born 1981 to 1996), 3.8% of Generation X (born 1965 to 1980), 2% of Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964), and 1.3% of Traditionalists (those born before 1946).

In response to the findings, Gallup said: “One of the main reasons LGBT identification has been increasing over time is that younger generations are far more likely to consider themselves to be something other than heterosexual.”

Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David commented: “This poll confirms what we have long known – that the LGBTQ community is powerful and a growing force in the United States, and around the world.

“Young adults, in particular, feel empowered to publicly claim their identities – a compelling finding and validation for the past generations of LGBTQ advocates who have long fought for full equality.”

David has been calling on Congress to establish the Equality Act ‘to secure consistent and explicit anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across all areas of life’.

This legislation would protect people from discrimination in the workplace, housing, service, and public accommodations.

This bill is being supported by President Joe Biden, who is calling for Congress to act.

Featured Image Credit: Pexel