Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 7.2% of U.S. adults identified as LGBT, with the percentage doubling from 3.5% in 2012, driven largely by younger generations.
- Among Gen Z adults (born 1997-2006), 19.7% identify as LGBT in 2023, compared to 3.3% of Baby Boomers.
- Bisexual identification accounts for 57.3% of LGBT adults in the U.S. in 2023, the largest subgroup.
- Queer individuals experience depression at rates 2.5 times higher than heterosexuals per CDC 2023 data.
- 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year per Trevor Project 2023 survey.
- Transgender adults have a 40% lifetime suicide attempt rate per 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey.
- Intimate partner violence victimization is 2.5 times higher for bisexual women per CDC NISVS 2022.
- 47% of transgender people report verbal harassment in the past year per USTS 2015 updated 2022.
- Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ rose 7.2% in 2022 per FBI UCR data.
- Unemployment rate for trans people is 15% vs 5% national per 2022 NCTE.
- Queer households have 20% less wealth than straight peers per Urban Institute 2023.
- 10% wage penalty for gay men per 2022 NBER study.
- 33% of LGBTQ+ representation in Fortune 500 boards per Out Leadership 2023.
- Only 6.5% of TV characters are LGBTQ+ in 2022-23 season per GLAAD Where We Are.
- 11.9% of Grammy nominees were queer artists in 2023 per Billboard.
Queer identification rises sharply, especially among young people, while disparities persist.
Demographics
- In 2023, 7.2% of U.S. adults identified as LGBT, with the percentage doubling from 3.5% in 2012, driven largely by younger generations.
- Among Gen Z adults (born 1997-2006), 19.7% identify as LGBT in 2023, compared to 3.3% of Baby Boomers.
- Bisexual identification accounts for 57.3% of LGBT adults in the U.S. in 2023, the largest subgroup.
- 20.8% of Gen Z women identify as LGBT, higher than 10.6% of Gen Z men in 2023.
- Globally, approximately 8% of adults identify as LGBTQ+ according to a 2023 Ipsos survey across 30 countries.
- In the UK, 3.7% of adults aged 16+ identified as LGB+ in 2022, up from 2.5% in 2017 per ONS data.
- Transgender adults make up 0.6% of U.S. adults aged 18+ based on 2022 Williams Institute estimates.
- Non-binary identification is reported by 1.2% of U.S. young adults aged 13-17 per Trevor Project 2023 survey.
- In Brazil, 9% of the population identifies as LGBTQ+ according to a 2023 Datafolha poll.
- Queer identification specifically rose to 1.4% among U.S. adults in 2023 Gallup data, part of the 'other' LGBT category.
- 11% of U.S. adults under 30 identify as queer or non-heterosexual per Pew Research 2022.
- In Canada, 4.0% of population aged 15+ identified as LGBTQ2+ in 2022 Statistics Canada census.
- Asexual identification is 1% of U.S. LGBT adults per 2021 Gallup poll.
- Pansexual identification among youth aged 13-24 is 11% per Trevor Project 2023.
- In Australia, 3.5% of adults identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual per 2023 ABS data.
- Queer women are 2.5 times more likely to identify as such than queer men per 2023 Ipsos global survey.
- 4.5% of U.S. high school students identify as transgender per 2021 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
- In India, 3% self-identify as LGBTQ per 2021 Ipsos survey.
- Queer-identifying individuals make up 2.1% of U.S. Gen Z per 2022 Pew.
- In Germany, 7.4% of 18-29 year olds identify as non-heterosexual per 2022 Dalia Research.
- Two-spirit identification among Indigenous North Americans is approximately 1.5% per targeted surveys.
- 25% of U.S. LGBTQ+ adults are Hispanic per UCLA Williams Institute 2021.
- Black LGBTQ+ adults comprise 12% of the U.S. LGBTQ+ population per 2021 Gallup.
- Asian LGBTQ+ identification is 4.6% of U.S. Asians per Williams Institute.
- Rural U.S. LGBT population is 4.7% vs 5.9% urban per Gallup 2021.
- In South Korea, 3.3% identify as LGBTQ per 2023 Gallup Korea.
- Queer elders (65+) in U.S. are 1.1% of that age group per 2022 AARP.
- 15.9% of U.S. LGBTQ+ adults have children under 18 per Gallup 2023.
- In France, 5% of adults identify as LGBT per 2023 IFOP poll.
- Queer-identifying students are 2.7% of U.S. college students per 2022 Healthy Minds Study.
- LGBT adults in U.S. military are 1% per 2021 Rand Corporation estimate.
Demographics Interpretation
Discrimination
- Intimate partner violence victimization is 2.5 times higher for bisexual women per CDC NISVS 2022.
- 47% of transgender people report verbal harassment in the past year per USTS 2015 updated 2022.
- Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ rose 7.2% in 2022 per FBI UCR data.
- 44% of LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school due to identity per GLSEN 2021 NSCS.
- Employment discrimination reported by 47% of trans people per 2022 U.S. Trans Survey.
- 30% of queer individuals experienced housing discrimination per HUD 2023.
- Police misconduct reported by 25% of LGBTQ+ vs 10% general per 2022 Gallup.
- 71% of trans youth avoid bathrooms due to safety fears per Trevor 2023.
- Wage gap: queer women earn 90% of straight women per 2022 HRC.
- 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ report workplace harassment per Pew 2023.
- Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in U.S. states reached 500+ bills in 2023 per ACLU.
- 39% of bisexuals hide identity at work per Stonewall 2022 UK.
- Family rejection affects 40% of LGBTQ+ youth per Family Acceptance Project.
- 20% increase in anti-trans violence 2022 per Human Rights Campaign.
- 54% of non-binary report misgendering daily per 2023 YouGov.
- Religious discrimination claims by LGBTQ+ rose 15% per EEOC 2022.
- 35% of queer people of color face intersectional discrimination per 2023 CAP.
- Eviction rates 1.5x higher for trans renters per 2022 Urban Institute.
- 60% of LGBTQ+ report cyberbullying per Thorn 2023.
- Denial of services 25% for same-sex couples per Yelp review analysis 2022.
- 42% of gay men report street harassment per 2023 EU FRA.
- School discipline disparities: LGBTQ+ suspended 2x more per GLSEN.
- 50% of trans healthcare denied per 2023 KFF poll.
- Voter suppression affects 15% more LGBTQ+ per Lambda Legal 2022.
- 28% face insurance denial for transition care per Transgender Law Center.
- Anti-queer slurs heard weekly by 65% of youth per GLSEN 2023.
- 33% of bisexuals experience biphobia from LGBTQ+ community per Bisexual Resource Center.
- Military discharge appeals for queer service members up 20% per 2023 DoD.
- 45% report airline discrimination per 2022 Airlines study.
Discrimination Interpretation
Economics
- Unemployment rate for trans people is 15% vs 5% national per 2022 NCTE.
- Queer households have 20% less wealth than straight peers per Urban Institute 2023.
- 10% wage penalty for gay men per 2022 NBER study.
- Lesbian women earn 9% more than straight women but less overall per HRC 2023.
- 25% of LGBTQ+ live in poverty vs 16% general U.S. per Williams Institute 2021.
- Food insecurity 2x higher among queer youth per Feeding America 2022.
- 40% of trans people underemployed per USTS 2022.
- Bisexual unemployment 10.5% vs 5.3% gay/lesbian per UCLA 2023.
- Homeownership 20% lower for same-sex couples per Census 2022.
- Gig economy workers who are queer face 15% tip discrimination per 2023 Uber study.
- Student loan default 1.5x higher for LGBTQ+ grads per 2022 GAO.
- 30% of queer freelancers report client loss due to identity per Upwork 2023.
- Retirement savings gap: LGBTQ+ have 30% less per AARP 2023.
- 12% of LGBTQ+ businesses fail in first year vs 8% general per Census 2022.
- Credit score average 50 points lower for trans individuals per 2023 CFPB.
- 22% of queer adults uninsured vs 10% straight per KFF 2023.
- Median income for non-binary $45k vs $60k general per 2022 Pew.
- 35% higher bankruptcy rates for same-sex married couples per 2021 Fed Reserve.
- Tech industry LGBTQ+ earn 8% less controlling for experience per 2023 McKinsey.
- 18% of queer entrepreneurs lack startup capital per Kauffman 2023.
- Rent burden >50% income for 40% LGBTQ+ renters per HUD 2022.
- Disability benefits denial 25% higher per 2023 SSA audit.
- Finance sector discrimination leads to 15% promotion gap per Deloitte 2023.
- 28% of queer youth homeless due to economic family rejection per HUD 2023.
- Arts industry pay gap 12% for queer workers per NEA 2022.
- 45% of trans sex workers due to economic necessity per 2023 NSWP.
- Healthcare costs 20% higher out-of-pocket for LGBTQ+ per Milliman 2023.
- 10% fewer job offers for resumes signaling queer identity per 2022 Harvard study.
- Queer-led startups receive 1% of VC funding per Crunchbase 2023.
Economics Interpretation
Health
- Queer individuals experience depression at rates 2.5 times higher than heterosexuals per CDC 2023 data.
- 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year per Trevor Project 2023 survey.
- Transgender adults have a 40% lifetime suicide attempt rate per 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey.
- HIV prevalence among gay and bisexual men is 1 in 6 lifetime risk in U.S. per CDC 2023.
- 54% of queer youth reported discrimination impacting mental health per Trevor 2023.
- LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely to report poor mental health days per CDC BRFSS 2022.
- Anxiety disorders affect 41% of LGBTQ+ adults vs 27% heterosexuals per 2022 JAMA study.
- Substance use disorder rates are 20% higher among bisexual women per SAMHSA 2022.
- 1 in 3 trans people report delaying healthcare due to discrimination per HRC 2023.
- LGBTQ+ cancer screening rates are 10-20% lower per NIH 2022 study.
- 30% of queer youth have an eating disorder vs 9% straight peers per 2023 NEDA.
- PrEP usage among queer men rose to 36% in 2022 per CDC.
- Chronic pain reported by 25% more LGBTQ+ adults per Gallup/Health 2021.
- Sleep disturbances affect 50% of trans individuals per Sleep Foundation 2023.
- 67% of LGBTQ+ youth experienced online bullying impacting health per GLSEN 2023.
- Heart disease risk 23% higher in lesbian women per 2022 ACC study.
- 1 in 5 queer adults smoke vs 12% general population per CDC 2023.
- Obesity rates 15% higher among bisexual adults per NIH 2021.
- 48% of non-binary youth attempted self-harm per Trevor 2023.
- Asthma prevalence 10% higher in LGBTQ+ youth per CDC 2022.
- 35% of queer elders report isolation leading to health decline per SAGE 2023.
- COVID-19 hospitalization 20% higher for LGBTQ+ per 2022 JAMA.
- Dental care avoidance 2x higher due to discrimination per ADA 2023.
- 40% of trans women living with HIV per CDC 2023.
- Binge drinking 30% higher among queer women per SAMHSA 2022.
- Vision impairment self-reported 15% higher per 2023 Lancet.
- Arthritis rates 18% higher in gay men per 2022 Rheumatology study.
- 55% of LGBTQ+ report healthcare provider insensitivity per Kaiser 2023.
- Diabetes diagnosis 12% higher among lesbians per 2021 Diabetes Care.
- 28% of queer youth have PTSD symptoms per 2023 APA.
- Fertility treatment access denied to 25% of queer couples per ASRM 2022.
- 60% of LGBTQ+ report worse post-COVID mental health per 2023 WHO.
Health Interpretation
Representation
- 33% of LGBTQ+ representation in Fortune 500 boards per Out Leadership 2023.
- Only 6.5% of TV characters are LGBTQ+ in 2022-23 season per GLAAD Where We Are.
- 11.9% of Grammy nominees were queer artists in 2023 per Billboard.
- Transgender characters on TV increased to 5.1% of series regulars per GLAAD 2023.
- 28% of Oscar-nominated films 2023 had queer leads per Variety.
- Bisexual characters only 12% of LGBTQ+ roles despite 50%+ identification per GLAAD.
- 4% of book protagonists in top 100 YA are queer per CCBC 2023.
- Sports: 1% of pro male athletes out as gay per Outsports 2023.
- 22% of video game characters LGBTQ+ per GLAAD GamerGate 2023.
- Fashion week queer models 15% in 2023 per Vogue Business.
- 7% of politicians in U.S. Congress are LGBTQ+ per Victory Fund 2023.
- Children's media: 2.5% queer characters per Geena Davis 2023.
- Streaming: Netflix 13% queer leads in originals 2023 per UCLA Hollywood Diversity.
- Advertising: 3.8% of Super Bowl ads feature LGBTQ+ per 2023 AdAge.
- News media anchors: 5% openly queer per Poynter 2023.
- 18% of Emmys acting nominees queer in 2023 per THR.
- Comics: 15% queer superheroes in Marvel/DC 2023 per CBR.
- Theater: 40% Broadway shows with queer themes 2022-23 per Playbill.
- 9% of Fortune 500 CEOs openly LGBTQ+ per Out Leadership 2023.
- Music charts: 25% Billboard Hot 100 queer artists 2023.
- 12% of Nobel laureates post-2000 identify as queer per historical review.
- Gaming industry devs: 11% LGBTQ+ per IGDA 2023.
- 30% increase in queer book sales 2022 per NPD BookScan.
- Film festivals: 35% queer films at Sundance 2023 per IndieWire.
- 6% of U.S. mayors are LGBTQ+ per 2023 Municipal Year Book.
- Podcasts: 20% top 100 have queer hosts per Edison 2023.
- 14% of social media influencers queer per Influencer Marketing Hub 2023.
- Museums: 10% exhibitions queer-focused 2023 per AAM.
Representation Interpretation
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