Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 7.6% of U.S. adults identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, marking a significant increase from 5.6% in 2020 and representing over 20 million adults
- As of 2022, approximately 1.6% of U.S. adults identify as transgender, equating to about 4 million people aged 13 and older, with higher rates among younger generations
- In 2021, 19.7% of Gen Z adults identified as LGBT, compared to 11.3% of Millennials, 4.5% of Gen X, and 1.8% of Baby Boomers in the U.S.
- LGBT Americans are twice as likely as non-LGBT to experience serious psychological distress, with 27% vs. 6% rates in 2022 NHIS data
- Transgender adults have a 40% lifetime suicide attempt rate vs. 4.6% general population, per 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey
- 54% of LGBT youth seriously considered suicide in the past year vs. 19% non-LGBT, per 2023 Trevor Project survey of 28,000 youth
- 41% of trans adults physically attacked vs. 17% cis LGBT, per 2019 community survey
- 46% of LGBT students felt unsafe at school due to orientation in 2021 GLSEN survey of 23,000 students
- Transgender women experience violence at 4x rate of cis women, 86 violent incidents per 1,000 in 2022 HRC data
- LGBT households earn 13% less median income than straight, $75,000 vs. $86,000 in 2022 Census data
- Transgender unemployment rate is 15% vs. 5% general U.S. population in 2022, per NCTE
- 30% of LGBT adults live in poverty vs. 16% non-LGBT, with bisexuals at 29%, per 2021 UCLA Williams Institute
- 71 countries criminalize same-sex relations as of 2023, affecting 2.8B people economically
- U.S. same-sex marriage legalized nationwide in 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges, with 1.2M couples married by 2023
- 94 countries recognize some LGBT rights protections in 2023 ILGA Rainbow Index, up from 67 in 2015
The global LGBT population is growing, especially among youth, but still faces significant health and economic disparities.
Discrimination and Violence
Discrimination and Violence Interpretation
Economic Status
Economic Status Interpretation
Health and Well-being
Health and Well-being Interpretation
Legal Rights and Acceptance
Legal Rights and Acceptance Interpretation
Population and Demographics
Population and Demographics Interpretation
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