In 2023, 7.6 percent of adults surveyed in the United States stated they identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). This is an increase from 2012, when 3.5 percent of surveyed adults identified as LGBT. These four categories are among the most common sexual orientations and gender identities outside cis-heterosexuals.
Differences across ages and genders
Zooming in, it is possible to see how the share of people identifying as LGBT changed considerably according to different demographics. Only two percent of Baby Boomers, indeed, reported being part of the LGBT community. On the other hand, among Generation Z individuals, this share reached almost 16 percent. Moreover, surveys suggest that women were more likely to identify as LGBT than men.
An ever-understanding society
The fact that an increasing amount of people feel free and safe to openly identify as LGBT might be a consequence of the improved acceptance of the different sexual orientations and genders by the American people at large. While in 2001 more than half of U.S. citizens considered homosexual relationships to be morally wrong, 20 years later this percentage dropped to 30 percent. Support for same-sex marriage has also been consistently increasing, even among traditionally conservative political groups. Despite this, it is important to remember that every year hundreds of people are still victims of hate crimes in the United States simply because of their gender or sexual orientation.
Share of respondents who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in the United States from 2012 to 2023
*Number of respondents in 2022. The source does not provide the exact number of respondents for each year.
Data for 2018 and 2019 was not available.
Respondents were asked about their personal identification as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
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Gallup. (March 13, 2024). Share of respondents who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in the United States from 2012 to 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/719674/american-adults-who-identify-as-homosexual-bisexual-or-transgender/?ref=lookoutphx.org
Gallup. "Share of respondents who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in the United States from 2012 to 2023." Chart. March 13, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/719674/american-adults-who-identify-as-homosexual-bisexual-or-transgender/?ref=lookoutphx.org
Gallup. (2024). Share of respondents who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in the United States from 2012 to 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/719674/american-adults-who-identify-as-homosexual-bisexual-or-transgender/?ref=lookoutphx.org
Gallup. "Share of Respondents Who Identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender in The United States from 2012 to 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 13 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/719674/american-adults-who-identify-as-homosexual-bisexual-or-transgender/?ref=lookoutphx.org
Gallup, Share of respondents who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in the United States from 2012 to 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/719674/american-adults-who-identify-as-homosexual-bisexual-or-transgender/?ref=lookoutphx.org (last visited December 01, 2024)
Share of respondents who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in the United States from 2012 to 2023 [Graph], Gallup, March 13, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/719674/american-adults-who-identify-as-homosexual-bisexual-or-transgender/?ref=lookoutphx.org