Poll Reveals Spike in LGBT Identification Among Young Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new Gallup poll published Thursday indicates that over 9% of American adults identified as LGBT in 2024, a notable increase from 7.6% in 2020. This data highlights a significant uptick in non-heterosexual identification since Gallup started tracking these trends in 2012, where only 3.5% self-identified as part of the LGBT community.

The findings suggest that a driving force behind this increase is Generation Z, with nearly 25% of individuals in this age group claiming an LGBT identity. In contrast, less than 15% of millennials and only 5% from older generations—Gen X, Baby Boomers, and the Silent Generation—identified as LGBT.

The report, which details trends since 2020, shows an approximate rise of four percentage points among Gen Z individuals, two points among millennials, and one point among Gen Xers. Notably, more than 5% of respondents reported being bisexual, while just over 1% identified as transgender.

Political affiliation also plays a significant role in LGBT identification, as the survey revealed 14% of Democrats and 21% of liberals identified as LGBT, contrasted with only 3% of Republicans and conservatives. Among independents, 11% identified as LGBT, while moderate individuals came in at 8%.

Gender disparities are also evident, with 10% of women identifying as LGBT compared to 6% of men. The data suggests that Gen Z women (31%) and millennial women (18%) report higher figures than their male counterparts in these demographics, where only 12% of Gen Z men and 9% of millennial men identify as LGBT.

The urban-rural divide was apparent as well; those residing in cities and suburbs were more likely to report non-heterosexual identities relative to individuals living in rural areas. The survey indicated that approximately 1% to 2% of respondents identified as nonbinary.

Recent trends in education appear to coincide with the increasing identification of LGBT individuals. Critics suggest that the introduction of radical gender ideology into educational curricula might contribute to the rising figures. For instance, schools across the U.S. have increasingly integrated discussions on LGBTQ issues and identity, particularly under the Biden administration, which has been characterized as promoting LGBTQ inclusion.

While former President Donald Trump has announced plans to ban such teachings during his renewed campaign for office, many schools continue to engage in practices supportive of LGBTQ education. Trump’s executive orders have also focused on recognizing only male and female genders, discouraging medical interventions for transgender youth, and restricting participation of transgender women in women’s sports.

Some analysts propose that the increase in individuals identifying as LGBT may reflect a “social contagion” phenomenon, wherein young individuals, especially girls, are influenced by their peers to adopt non-heterosexual identities. “There is no explanation given for how, unlike with homosexuality, we’re seeing entire friend groups and entire segments of classrooms adopting trans identities together,” remarked Candice Jackson, former Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights, in a prior interview.