A new report, released by research facility Gallup, found more Americans identify as LGBTQ+ than ever previously recorded. The poll asked over 15,000 US citizens whether they identify as LGBTQ+, to which 5.6% answered yes. 4.5% said they identified as LGBTQ+ in Gallup’s 2017 poll, meaning there has been a 1.1% increase. Over half identified as bisexual, and 24.5% described themselves as gay. A further 11.7% identified as a lesbian, and 11.3% of respondents said they were transgender.
The age group that had the highest percentage of people identifying as LGBTQ+ was those born between 1997 and 2002 (Gen Z). 15.9% of Gen Z respondents said they identified as LGBTQ+, compared to 9.1% of millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) and 3.8 % of Gen X (1965-1980). Gallup suggested this may attribute to the rise in Americans who identify as LGBTQ+: “One of the main reasons LGBTQ+ identification has been increasing over time is that younger generations are far more likely to consider themselves to be something other than heterosexual.”
In response to the poll results, Human Rights Campaign president, Alphonso David, said: “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 – compelling finding and validation for the past generations of LGBTQ+ advocates who have long fought for full equality.” David also encouraged the US government to pass the Equality Act in the upcoming hearing, with the hope it will “secure consistent and explicit anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people across all areas of life.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.