The share of U.S. adults who identify as LGBTQ+ has reached 9.3%, according to Gallup’s latest survey, marking a steady increase over the past decade. The figure has nearly tripled since Gallup first measured it in 2012, when just 3.5% of Americans identified as LGBTQ+.
This rise is primarily fueled by younger generations, with more than one in five Gen Z adults (22.7%) identifying as LGBTQ+. Millennials also show an upward trend, with 12% now identifying as LGBTQ+, compared to 10.3% in recent years. Meanwhile, older generations report significantly lower rates, with only 1.8% of those born before 1946 identifying as LGBTQ+.
Bisexual identity most common, especially among young women
Among LGBTQ+ individuals, bisexuality remains the most common identity, accounting for 56% of respondents. The trend is especially pronounced among younger adults, with 59% of Gen Z and 52% of millennial LGBTQ+ individuals identifying as bisexual.
Gender plays a key role in this trend. Overall, 10% of women identify as LGBTQ+, compared to 6% of men. The gap is even wider among Gen Z, where 31% of women and 12% of men identify as LGBTQ+. Most of these younger women describe themselves as bisexual.
Political and regional divides in LGBTQ+ identification
LGBTQ+ identification varies by political affiliation, ideology, and geography. Democrats (14%) and independents (11%) are far more likely than Republicans (3%) to identify as LGBTQ+. Similarly, 21% of liberals identify as LGBTQ+, compared to 8% of moderates and just 3% of conservatives.
Geographically, LGBTQ+ identification is highest in urban areas (11%), slightly lower in suburban areas (10%), and lowest in rural communities (7%). Education level does not appear to play a significant role, with both college graduates (9%) and non-graduates (10%) identifying at similar rates.
A generational shift shaping the future
Since Gallup began tracking LGBTQ+ identification in 2012, younger generations have consistently driven the increase. With Gen Z and millennials identifying at much higher rates than their predecessors, the proportion of LGBTQ+ Americans is likely to continue rising in the coming years.
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