- Life›
- Love & Sex›
Sexual orientation: views on nature vs. nurture in the U.S. 1977-2018
Sexual orientation: views on nature vs. nurture in the U.S. 1977-2018
Are people born gay or lesbian or does this develop due to upbringing and environmental factors?
by Statista Research Department,
last edited
Aug 1, 2019
This statistic shows the shift in Americans' views from 1977 to 2018 as to whether people are born gay or lesbian, or their sexual orientation develops due to upbringing and environmental factors. In 1977, 13 percent of respondents stated that they believe people were born gay or lesbian. In 2018, 50 percent of respondents believed people were born gay or lesbian.
Are people born gay or lesbian or does this develop due to upbringing and environmental factors?
Loading statistic...
| Born with | Upbringing/environment | Both | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 50% | 30% | 10% |
| 2016 | 46% | 33% | 12% |
| 2015 | 51% | 30% | 8% |
| 2014 | 42% | 37% | 9% |
| 2013 | 47% | 33% | 9% |
| 2012 | 40% | 35% | 11% |
| 2011 | 40% | 42% | 6% |
| 2010 | 36% | 37% | 12% |
| 2009 | 35% | 42% | 12% |
| 2008 | 41% | 38% | 9% |
| 2007 | 42% | 35% | 11% |
| 2006 | 42% | 37% | 11% |
| 2005 | 38% | 44% | 10% |
| 2004 | 37% | 41% | 11% |
| 2003 | 38% | 44% | 11% |
| 2002 | 40% | 36% | 12% |
| 2001 | 40% | 39% | 9% |
| 1999 | 34% | 44% | 13% |
| 1996 | 31% | 40% | 13% |
| 1989 | 19% | 48% | 12% |
| 1982 | 17% | 52% | 13% |
| 1977 | 13% | 56% | 14% |
| Born with | Upbringing/environment | Both | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 50% | 30% | 10% |
| 2016 | 46% | 33% | 12% |
| 2015 | 51% | 30% | 8% |
| 2014 | 42% | 37% | 9% |
| 2013 | 47% | 33% | 9% |
| 2012 | 40% | 35% | 11% |
| 2011 | 40% | 42% | 6% |
| 2010 | 36% | 37% | 12% |
| 2009 | 35% | 42% | 12% |
| 2008 | 41% | 38% | 9% |
| 2007 | 42% | 35% | 11% |
| 2006 | 42% | 37% | 11% |
| 2005 | 38% | 44% | 10% |
| 2004 | 37% | 41% | 11% |
| 2003 | 38% | 44% | 11% |
| 2002 | 40% | 36% | 12% |
| 2001 | 40% | 39% | 9% |
| 1999 | 34% | 44% | 13% |
| 1996 | 31% | 40% | 13% |
| 1989 | 19% | 48% | 12% |
| 1982 | 17% | 52% | 13% |
| 1977 | 13% | 56% | 14% |
© Statista 2019
About this statistic
Source: Gallup
Download
Settings
Share
Download started
Please be patient - this may take a moment
Please be patient - this may take a moment
Description
Source
More information
by Statista Research Department,
last edited
Aug 1, 2019
This statistic shows the shift in Americans' views from 1977 to 2018 as to whether people are born gay or lesbian, or their sexual orientation develops due to upbringing and environmental factors. In 1977, 13 percent of respondents stated that they believe people were born gay or lesbian. In 2018, 50 percent of respondents believed people were born gay or lesbian.
- Source
- Gallup
- Show further sources information
- As a Premium user you get access to the detailed source references and background information about this statistic.
- Show publisher information
- Release date
- May 2018
- Region
- United States
- Survey time period
- 1977 to 2018
- Number of respondents
- 1,024*
- Age group
- 18 years and older
- Method of interview
- Telephone interview
- Supplementary notes
-
The source poses the question as follows: " In your view, is being gay or lesbian something a person is born with, (or) due to factors such as upbringing and environment?"
Missing percentage points to 100 percent are due to respondents stating "neither" or "no opinion".
*In 2018. The source does not provide the exact number of respondents for each year.
Source
- Source
- Gallup
- Show further sources information
- As a Premium user you get access to the detailed source references and background information about this statistic.
- Show publisher information
- Release date
- May 2018
More information
- Region
- United States
- Survey time period
- 1977 to 2018
- Number of respondents
- 1,024*
- Age group
- 18 years and older
- Method of interview
- Telephone interview
- Supplementary notes
-
The source poses the question as follows: " In your view, is being gay or lesbian something a person is born with, (or) due to factors such as upbringing and environment?"
Missing percentage points to 100 percent are due to respondents stating "neither" or "no opinion".
*In 2018. The source does not provide the exact number of respondents for each year.
Other statistics on the topic
Homosexuality
+Demographics
Percentage of gay couple households, by race of householder U.S. 2017
Love & Sex
Survey on the legalization of same-sex marriages in the U.S. 1996 to 2019
Love & Sex
Americans' moral stance towards gay or lesbian relations in 2018
Love & Sex
Americans who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender 2012-2017
Use Statista now:
Unlimited Access to All Statistics! $49 / Month
Basic Account
Get to know the platform
You only have access to basic statistics.
Premium Account
Your perfect start with Statista
- Instant access to 1m statistics
- Download in XLS, PDF & PNG format
- Detailed references
$49 / Month *
Corporate Account
Full access
Corporate solution including all features.
* All products require an annual contract.
Prices do not include sales tax.
Prices do not include sales tax.
Leading companies trust Statista:
Related Studies: Available to Download in PDF or PPTX Format
Free Dossier Deal
Homosexuality in the U.S.
- 40 page/s
- English
- pptx
- Detailed references
Everything On "Homosexuality in the U.S." in One Document: Edited and Divided into Handy Chapters. Including Detailed References.
Free Dossier Deal
Purchase a Premium Account Subscription Now and Get a Free Dossier worth $365.
Statista is a great source of knowledge, and pretty helpful to manage the daily work.Christof Baron
CEO, MindShare Germany
Statistics on "Homosexuality in the U.S."
- Homosexuality in the United States
The most important statistics
- United States: Do you, personally, identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender?Americans who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender 2012-2017
- Share of Americans who identify as LGBT from 2012 to 2017, by genderAmericans who identify as LGBT from 2012-2017, by gender
- Share of Americans who identify as LGBT from 2012 to 2017, by generationAmericans who identify as LGBT from 2012-2017, by generation
- Are people born gay or lesbian or does this develop due to upbringing and environmental factors?Sexual orientation: views on nature vs. nurture in the U.S. 1977-2018
- Do you think gay or lesbian relations are morally acceptable or morally wrong?Americans' moral stance towards gay or lesbian relations in 2018
- Do you think gay or lesbian relations between consenting adults should or should not be legal?Americans' opinion on gay or lesbian relations from 2007 to 2017
- Same-sex marriage and families
The most important statistics
- United States: Share of population in same-sex marriages and domestic relationships as of 2015Share of inhabitants in same-sex marriages in the United States as of 2015
- Percentage of male-male couples in the United States in 2017, sorted by race of householderPercentage of gay couple households, by race of householder U.S. 2017
- Percentage of same-sex couples in the United States in 2017, by age of householderPercentage of same-sex couple households in the U.S. 2017, by age
- Percentage of same-sex couples in the United States in 2017, sorted by children in the householdPercentage of same-sex couple households in the U.S. 2017, by children in household
- Total number of same-sex households in the United States in 2017, by marital statusNumber of U.S. same-sex households in 2017, by marital status
- Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by law as valid?Survey on the legalization of same-sex marriages in the U.S. 1996 to 2019
- Do you think most Americans are in favor of same-sex marriage or opposed to it?Survey on the stance of Americans on same-sex marriage in 2015
- Lifestyle and consumption
The most important statistics
- Gay and Lesbian Americans: What type of environment best describes the place in which you live?Living environment of gays and lesbians in the U.S. in 2016, by generation
- Gay and lesbian Americans: have you (or you and your partner) purchased any of the following major items during the past 12 months?Major purchases of gay and lesbian Americans in the U.S. in 2016
- Gay and Lesbian Americans: over the past 12 months, which companies or brands have you boycotted because of their anti-LGBT policies or practices?Boycott of anti-LGBT supportive companies by gay and lesbian Americans U.S. 2016
Discover Statista
Need help with using Statista for your research?
Tutorials and first steps
Further Content: Statistics, Studies, and Topic Pages
Statistics
- Share of French women who had a homosexual sexual intercourse in their life 1970-2019
- Homosexual population of the United Kingdom in 2012-2015
- Italy: degree of acceptance of female homosexual relationships 2011
- Familiarity with the LGBT community in Latin America 2016
- Attitudes towards gay/lesbian people in Latin America 2016, by country
- Metro areas with the highest share of LGBT population in the United States as of 2014
- Housing situation of gay and lesbian Americans in 2009
- Opinion on having children by gay and lesbian Americans in the U.S. in 2009
- Real estate property of gay and lesbian Americans in the U.S. in 2009
- Opinion on marriage by gay and lesbian Americans in the U.S. in 2009
- Sexual orientation of social contacts and friends of gay and lesbian Americans 2009
- Motivation to use social network sites by gay and lesbian Americans in the U.S. in 2009
- Opinion about cause-related promotions by gay and lesbian Americans in the U.S. in 2009
- Average expenditures of gay and lesbian Americans on selected items
- Views on gay rights by age groups in the U.S. 2012
- Survey on openly gay members in the Boy Scouts of America 2013
- Opinion on the happiness of a child raised in a gay family with two mothers 2019
- Share of people positive towards homosexuality in the Netherlands 2002-2016
- Italy: perception of public display of affection in male homosexuals 2011
- Attitude Flemish population towards gender ambiguity in Belgium in 2015
Studies
- Homosexuality in the U.S.
- A crisis of hate: a report on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Queer Hate Violence...
- Sexuality in the United Kingdom (UK)
- European Union lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender survey
- Sexuality in Italy
- The 2012 LGBT Report: Demographic Spotlight
- A Survey of LGBT Americans
- Love and sex in Japan
- Sexuality in the U.S.
- Love in the U.S.
- Marriage and weddings in the United Kingdom (UK)
- Out Online
- Sex, Romance, and Relationships
- With One Voice 2012
- 2005 Global Sex Survey results
Statistics on "Homosexuality in the U.S."
- United States: Do you, personally, identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender?
- Share of Americans who identify as LGBT from 2012 to 2017, by gender
- Share of Americans who identify as LGBT from 2012 to 2017, by generation
- Are people born gay or lesbian or does this develop due to upbringing and environmental factors?
- Do you think gay or lesbian relations are morally acceptable or morally wrong?
- Do you think gay or lesbian relations between consenting adults should or should not be legal?
- United States: Share of population in same-sex marriages and domestic relationships as of 2015
- Percentage of male-male couples in the United States in 2017, sorted by race of householder
- Percentage of same-sex couples in the United States in 2017, by age of householder
- Percentage of same-sex couples in the United States in 2017, sorted by children in the household
- Total number of same-sex households in the United States in 2017, by marital status
- Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by law as valid?
- Do you think most Americans are in favor of same-sex marriage or opposed to it?
- Gay and Lesbian Americans: What type of environment best describes the place in which you live?
- Gay and lesbian Americans: have you (or you and your partner) purchased any of the following major items during the past 12 months?
- Gay and Lesbian Americans: over the past 12 months, which companies or brands have you boycotted because of their anti-LGBT policies or practices?
- Proportion of women who have ever had sex with another woman at least once during their lifetime in France between 1970 and 2019
- Number of homosexual people in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2015 (1,000)*
- Degree of acceptance of female homosexual relationships among the Italian population in 2011, by age
- Do you personally know someone who is attracted to people of the same sex or who identifies as gay, lesbian or bisexual?
- How would you feel if your neighbor were gay or lesbian?
- United States: Metro areas with the highest LGBT population in 2014
- Gay and Lesbian Americans: What type of residence do you live in?
- Gay and lesbian Americans: Do you want to have children in the future?
- Gay and Lesbian Americans: Do you own or rent your primary residence?
- Gay and lesbian Americans: Do you want to get married in the future?
- Gay and lesbian Americans: What is the sexual orientation of your social contacts and closest friends?
- Gay and lesbian Americans: What is your motivation to use social networking sites?
- Gay and lesbian Americans: What is your opinion about cause-related promotions such as Pink Ribbon, LiveStrong, Product Red (AIDS), American Heart Association?
- Gay and Lesbian Americans: On average, how much do you spend per week on the following? (in U.S. dollars)
- Views on gay rights, moral acceptability and same-sex marriage by age groups in the United States 2012
- Do you think the Boy Scouts of America should allow openly gay members?
- Do you think a child can flourish in a gay family with two mothers?*
- Share of people positive towards homosexuality in the Netherlands from 2002 to 2016*
- Perception of public display of affection in male homosexuals couples among the Italian population in 2011, by age
- To what extent do you agree with the following statement: "You prefer not to spend time with people of whom it's not clear whether they are a man or a woman"
All features, all contents, at all times: Learn more about our professional solutions.
Related topics
About Statista
Statista offers dossiers and reports on over 170 industries. With Statista you are always able to make informed decisions and boost your work efficiency.
Internet & Telecommunications
- Social Media
- E-Commerce
- Online Video & Entertainment
- Advertising & Marketing
Consumer Goods & FMCG
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Cleaning Products
- Cosmetics & Personal Care
- Food & Nutrition
Retail & Trade
- Health & Hygiene
- International Trade
- Shopping Behavior
- Sports & Leisure
Travel, Tourism & Hospitality
- Business Travel
- Leisure Travel
- Accomodation
- Restaurants
Society
- Demographics
- Economy
- Education & Science
- Politics & Government
Transportation & Logistics
- Aviation
- Rail Transport
- Vehicles & Road Traffic
- Water Transport
Please log in to access our additional functions
Register in seconds and access exclusive features.
Basic Account
|
Instant Access
Premium Account
| ||
|---|---|---|---|
Our services
Click the question mark for further information | Free |
$49 per month* | |
| Basic statistics | |||
| Premium statistics | |||
|
Graph download
| |||
| Download PDF | |||
|
Excel download
| |||
| Register | Purchase now | ||
*Duration: 12 months, billed annually, single license
Yes, let me download!
...and make my research life easier.
Exclusive Corporate feature
This feature is limited to our corporate solutions.
Please contact us to get started with full access to dossiers, forecasts, studies and international data.
Corporate Account
We use cookies to personalize contents and ads, offer social media features, and analyze access to our website. In your browser settings you can configure or disable this, respectively, and can delete any already placed cookies. For details, please see your browser’s Help section (by pressing F1). Please see our privacy statement for details about how we use data.