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More Americans identify as LGBTQ+ than ever before

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Team Zandora
  • 2. apr kl. 08:02
  • 6 minutter

A new Gallup survey released in February 2025 shows that 9.3% of American adults now identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This is the highest proportion Gallup has measured since it began tracking sexual orientation and gender identity in the population in 2012. The numbers mark a remarkable evolution in American society, where coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer has become more common and - for some - less associated with social stigma. In 2020, the rate stood at 5.6%, meaning almost twice as many Americans now openly identify as LGBTQ+ compared to just five years ago.

The numbers clearly show that we're in the midst of a cultural shift where issues of identity and sexual orientation are being addressed more openly - in the media, in families and in public discourse. It also raises new questions about how institutions such as the school system, healthcare and the labor market should adapt to a more diverse population.

Younger generations are driving the trend

Among the demographic data, Generation Z (born 1997-2006) stands out significantly. A full 23.1% identify as LGBTQ+ - almost one in four. This is significantly higher than among Millennials (born 1981-1996), where the figure is 14%. For Generation X (born 1965-1980) it's 5%, while among Baby Boomers (2.3%) and the oldest group, the so-called Silent Generation (1.8%), the percentage is even lower.

The difference points to a clear trend: the younger you are, the more likely you are to identify outside the heterosexual or cisgender norm. This may be due to both changing attitudes in society and greater freedom to experiment with or express their identity. For many young people, gender and sexuality are not fixed categories, but something that can be fluid and personal.

Psychotherapist and sexologist Maj Tverskov, who works with gender and identity issues on a daily basis, explains the development as follows:

"*We are currently seeing a breakdown of binary notions of gender and sexuality. Young people have access to a much broader language to describe who they are, which means that more people dare to be open about their identity - not only to others, but also to themselves."

Bisexuality most prevalent

When delving into how the 9.3% identify within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, a clear picture emerges: bisexuality is the most common identity. As many as 5.2% of the adults surveyed identify as bisexual, which corresponds to 56% of all those who say they belong to the LGBTQ+ group.

In comparison, 2.0% identify as gay (men who are attracted to men), 1.4% as lesbian (women who are attracted to women), and 1.3% as transgender. In addition, 0.6% state another identity, such as pansexual, asexual or queer.

The fact that bisexuality is so prominent in the statistics is an important point - not least because bisexuals are often overlooked in both heteronormative and homosexual contexts. At the same time, the figures show that sexual orientation is not necessarily an either-or proposition, but often contains nuances and complexities that American society is increasingly beginning to recognize.

Gender and politics play a role

The survey also shows that women are more likely than men to identify as LGBTQ+. 10% of women answered yes to the question, compared to 6% of men. The proportion of women who identify as bisexual is particularly high, which researchers believe may be related to both social acceptance and cultural beliefs about women's sexuality.

There are also significant differences depending on political views. Among people who identify as liberal, the proportion is as high as 21%, while only 3% of conservatives identify as LGBTQ+. The partisan breakdown is also clear: 14% of Democrats say they are LGBTQ+, compared to just 3% of Republicans. This shows how identity is not just a personal matter, but also influenced by social and political structures.

City, country and the American culture war

Geography also comes into play. In urban areas, 11% identify as LGBTQ+, in the suburbs 10%, while in rural areas it's only 7%. This confirms a well-known trend in the US, where cities and urban environments are increasingly serving as sanctuaries for gender and sexuality diversity. In rural areas, social norms and conservative values can still put pressure on those who break the norm.

At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under pressure in many parts of the US - with new gender education laws, bans on transgender people in sports, and restrictions on access to gender-affirming treatment - Gallup's numbers also become a testament to a culture war. While some are trying to roll back rights, a new generation is standing up and demanding to be seen and heard on their own terms.

A society in transition

Gallup's poll is based on telephone interviews with over 14,000 American adults during 2024, making it one of the most comprehensive and reliable surveys of LGBTQ+ identification in the US. According to the institute, it will track year-by-year trends to document how the population's self-perceptions and expressions of identity change over time.

All indications are that the proportion will increase further as Generation Z and subsequent generations age. American society is moving - slowly but surely - towards greater visibility and acceptance. But it's not happening without resistance, which is why the numbers can also be read as a reminder: of the need to listen to new voices and that identity politics is not just about words and labels, but about people and their lives.

In this light, Donald Trump's opposition to DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) initiatives seems particularly problematic. His policies, which actively seek to limit the focus on diversity and equality in public institutions and business, risk marginalizing the very groups that this study shows are growing and in need of visibility and recognition. The numbers speak for themselves: it's not the minority that is growing too big - it's the systems that need to keep up with reality.


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