Approximately 30% of the Young Identify Themselves as Part of LGTBQ Community
More than 1 in 4 Gen Zers identify theselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, shrinking the percentage of LGBTQ Americans in older age groups, a new study has found. Twenty-eight percent of Gen Z -- which the researchers in the study identify as those aged 18 to 25 -- identify themselves as LGBTQ, says a report published by the Public Religion Research Institute, or PRRI.
"In terms of LGBTQ identity, it is very clear that Gen Z adults look different than older Americans," said Melissa Deckman, CEO of PRRI.
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The report found that 72% of Gen Z identified as heterosexual, 15% as bisexual, 5% as gay or lesbian, and 8% as something else.
The researchers also found that Gen Z were more ethnically and racially diverse than older generations and are less likely to join established religions.
The findings come amid other major surveys, including Gallup, that show Gen Z are the weirdest generation of adults ever. In its most recent survey, Gallup has found that 7.2 percent of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ, including nearly 20 percent of Gen Z, who the survey identifies as people aged 19 to 26.
Last year, more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced into state legislatures across the country, a record, including 75 that were signed into law, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU reports that more than 320 bills have been pre-filed or introduced during state legislation sessions this year.
"Whether it is in elections, at marches and rallies, or online, LGBTQ+ visibility matters and Gen Z are a force for change," Kelly Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest group for LGBTQ advocacy in the country, said in a statement. "Thousands of LGBTQ+ young people turn 18 every day – and lawmakers need to understand that there will be consequences in November for political attacks against LGBTQ+."
