A recent survey by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) has unveiled a staggering revelation: more than one in four (28%) Americans aged 18 to 25, known as Generation Z (Gen Z), identify as LGBTQ. This groundbreaking statistic marks the highest percentage recorded for any generation by the polling organization, which conducted the research during August and September, involving over 6,600 participants. Notably, nearly half of non-heterosexual Gen Z respondents identified as bisexual, comprising 15% of the entire adult Gen Z population. The gay and lesbian community accounted for 5% of the total, trailing behind the category labeled as "other" at 8%. According to RT, Gen Z is more likely to identify as something other than heterosexual compared to previous generations. Among millennials, 16% identified as LGBTQ, with gay and lesbian individuals almost equal in number to bisexual individuals (5% vs. 7%).
The survey delved into the demographics of various generations, revealing intriguing patterns. In Generation X, the number of gay and lesbian individuals actually exceeded the number of bisexual individuals (3% vs. 2%) among the 7% of the total age group that identified as non-heterosexual. The numbers dropped even further for individuals from the Baby Boomer (4%) and Silent Generation (3%). Gen Z not only redefines sexual orientation but also showcases greater racial diversity compared to other age groups surveyed. Only 52% of adults – and merely 50% of teenagers – identified as white, in contrast to the 62% of the overall American population. Additionally, Gen Z is less likely to politically identify as Republicans and more inclined to identify as liberals. The survey even indicates that there are more LGBTQ Gen Z individuals than Republican Gen Z individuals, comprising 27% of the total population compared to 21% within the age group.
PRRI refrained from speculating on the potential causes of this trend, which aligns with the liberalization of attitudes towards homosexuality in American society. Despite these positive changes, 20% of adult Gen Z respondents reported experiencing hostility or discrimination based on their sexual orientation.
The legal landscape has evolved significantly, with homosexual acts no longer considered a federal crime in the US since the Supreme Court's Lawrence v. Texas decision in 2003. While many states have repealed their sodomy laws, the 2014 Obergefell v. Hodges decision further legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, overturning a ban in place since 1996. Since then, each state is obligated to issue licenses and perform such marriages, and same-sex couples can adopt children. However, only 35 UN member states currently allow same-sex marriage.
Although PRRI's findings align with previous surveys indicating that Gen Z is the most LGBTQ and liberal generation to come of age in the US, the percentage identifying as non-heterosexual is significantly higher in this week's findings compared to a similar Gallup poll conducted last year. The 2024 survey revealed that 19.7% of Gen Z adults aged 18 to 26 identify as LGBTQ, compared to 7.2% of the general population, showcasing a notable shift in societal perspectives and self-identification.