In this post, I report some of the data regarding the increase in American adults who identify as LGBTQ+ based on a Gallup report from earlier this year. Following the data, I offer some thoughts on the reason for the increase and what might be related to the rise in reported bisexuality.
Researchers (Jones, 2024, March 13) at Gallup reported the percentages of Americans who identify as other than a heterosexual. Overall, they found that 7.6% of US adults identify as LGBTQ+, which is an increase from 3.5% in 2012.
The sample size was a substantial 12,000 adults defines as people above the age of 18. Of these, 85.6% identified as straight or heterosexual and 6.8% did not respond.
The largest group in the general population identify as bisexual (4.4%). However, 57.3% of those who identify as LGBTQ+ report being bisexual.
Age is a factor. Younger adults report a higher level of identification as LGBTQ+. The data were as follows:
Generation %
Generation Z (born 1997-2012) 22.3
Millennials (born 1981-1996) 9.8
Generation X (born 1965-1980) 4.5
Baby boomers (born 1946-1964) 2.3
Gender is a factor. More women than men identify as LGBTQ+ than men (almost 2 to 1). And women report higher identification as bisexual (5.7) than men do (2.1).
Comments
1. These data may indicate an increasing trend but it’s too early to tell given the few data points available. The usual caveat applies––we need more research.
2. Socioreligious and sociopolitical factors may account for the higher percentages among younger adults given the broader acceptance in society nowadays compared to even a decade ago. For example, it was 26 June 2015 when the US Supreme court ruled on equal rights for those in same-sex marriages compared to those in heterosexual marriages.
3. Several churches have welcomed LGBTQ+ people into their congregations, hired qualified persons as clergy, and conducted same-sex marriages. This may encourage many young people who perceive the culture as more supportive.
4. Future reports may be negatively affected by the actions of lawmakers at the national level and in some states. Recently, restrictions have focused on the treatment of young transpersons and their rights to participate in sports.
5. Many churches have made decisions regarding people who identify as LGBTQ+ in their congregations. We seem to be seeing a clear decision regarding inclusion and exclusion as for example in the recent United Methodist church splits in the US where many congregations decided to leave the denomination.
6. Several high-profile Christian leaders have spoken out in support of LGBTQ+ people. In general, many have called for a kinder treatment of people instead of the hateful rhetoric of the past without calling for a change in church doctrine. I see Pope Francis as one who speaks in loving terms about LGBTQ+ persons. Other Christian leaders like David Gushee have called for welcoming LG persons but maintaining a sexual ethic that limits sexual relationships to a life-long marriage relationship, which includes same-sex marriages. I mention LG because he does not write much about BT persons in his controversial book.
7. As the church appears more accepting toward people who identify as gay or lesbian, they seem to have ignored bisexuals and remained harsh toward transpersons. I’m speculating here and hope to find more data that would confirm or disconfirm my hypothesis. It could be just a perception based on more news reports of problems for transpersons than for other minorities.
8. The high percentage of bisexuals may support a hypothesis I had regarding reports of those Christians who reported a conversion characterized by giving up their identity as gay or lesbian identity. Some even reported a marriage to an “opposite sex” person with whom they had children. In other words, I hypothesized that some who reported such changes were not solely gay or lesbian but rather bisexual and limited their sexual orientation to the heteronormative situation. Again, I cannot prove this hypothesis so I will await evidence that may or may not support it.
Notes
The study was conducted in 2023 and reported in 2024.
For more information, see the Gallup site.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/611864/lgbtq-identification.aspx
CREDIT
The image was created in Bing designer.
Reference
Jones, J. M. (2024, March 13). LGBTQ+ Identification in U.S. Now at 7.6%. Gallup. Retrieved from https://news.gallup.com/poll/611864/lgbtq-identification.aspx
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