Amid the horror story that is emerging in the US in connection with LGBTQ+ rights, Gallup has released its latest findings on LGBTQ+ identification, revealing that 9.3% of adults in the country identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or another non-heterosexual orientation in 2024. This figure marks a notable increase of over one percentage point from the previous estimate in 2023, and it signifies a substantial rise from just 3.5% in 2012, the year Gallup first began measuring such identification.
The growth in LGBTQ+ identification is particularly pronounced among younger generations. More than 20% of Generation Z adults, born between 1997 and 2006, identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting a stark contrast with older generations. For instance, only 1.8% of individuals from the Silent Generation, born before 1946, identified as LGBTQ+.
Additionally, data indicates that this trend is not limited to Generation Z; there has been a significant increase in LGBTQ+ identification among Millennials and Generation X as well. Specifically, the percentage of LGBTQ+ identifiers among Millennials rose from 10.3% to 12.0%, and among Generation X, it increased from 3.8% to 4.8%. In contrast, identification rates among Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation have remained relatively unchanged.
The findings derived from over 14,000 telephone interviews with U.S. adults indicate that 85.7% identify as straight, while smaller proportions identify as bisexual (5.2%), gay (2.0%), lesbian (1.4%), transgender (1.3%), and other identities (just under 1%). Among the nearly 900 LGBTQ+ individuals interviewed, the majority, at 56%, identified as bisexual, followed by 21% identifying as gay, 15% as lesbian, 14% as transgender, and 6% as having another LGBTQ+ identity.
The prominence of bisexual identification appears to be a significant factor driving the overall increase in LGBTQ+ identification. Among Gen Z, 59% identify as bisexual, which drops to 52% among Millennials, and decreases further among older generations, with only 44% of Generation X and less than 20% of Baby Boomers identifying in the same way.
The Gallup report also highlights distinctions in LGBTQ+ identification based on gender, political affiliation, and urban versus rural residency. Notably, a higher proportion of women (10%) compared to men (6%) identify as LGBTQ+, largely attributed to women’s higher likelihood of identifying as bisexual. Political affiliation further reveals disparities, with 14% of Democrats and 11% of independents identifying as LGBTQ+, compared to just 3% of Republicans. Ideologically, 21% of liberals, 8% of moderates, and 3% of conservatives identify within the LGBTQ+ community.
Urban areas show higher rates of LGBTQ+ identification, with 11% in cities and 10% in suburbs, compared to 7% in rural areas. Educational attainment also appears to correlate with LGBTQ+ identification, but to a lesser extent, as both college graduates and non-graduates report similar rates of identification (9% and 10%, respectively).
In summary, Gallup’s findings depict a clear trend of increasing LGBTQ+ identification, particularly among younger cohorts. This upward trajectory suggests that as newer generations come of age, the overall rate of LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. is likely to continue its ascent.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.axios.com/2024/03/13/lgbtq-identity-us-adults-gallup-survey – This article supports the claim that LGBTQ+ identification is increasing, particularly among younger generations, and highlights the prevalence of bisexual identification. It also notes the generational differences in LGBTQ+ identification rates.
- https://news.gallup.com/poll/611864/lgbtq-identification.aspx – This Gallup report provides data on the growth of LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S., noting an increase from 3.5% in 2012 to 7.6% in 2024. It also discusses the higher rates of LGBTQ+ identification among younger adults.
- https://news.gallup.com/poll/470708/lgbt-identification-steady.aspx – This Gallup poll from 2023 shows that LGBT identification held steady at 7.2% after previous increases, and highlights the prevalence of bisexual identification among younger adults.
- https://www.gallup.com/poll/470708/lgbt-identification-steady.aspx – This Gallup poll provides insights into the demographic distribution of LGBT identification, including higher rates among younger generations and the prominence of bisexual identification.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references data from 2024, indicating recent findings. However, without specific details on when Gallup released these findings, it’s difficult to assess if the content is entirely up-to-date.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the narrative, so there’s no need to verify any quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Gallup, a well-established and reputable research organization. However, the exact publication source isn’t specified, which slightly reduces confidence.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The trends described align with broader societal shifts and previous research on increasing LGBTQ+ identification, particularly among younger generations. The data seems plausible based on these trends.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be based on recent and plausible data from a reputable source. The lack of direct quotes and the absence of specific publication details are minor concerns, but overall, the information seems accurate and up-to-date.
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