Recent data shows 7.2% of U.S. adults now identify as LGBT, a figure that has doubled in a decade. This demographic shift is driven by younger generations, with nearly 20% of Gen Z adults identifying as LGBT. The statistics quantify profound disparities in health, economics, and safety for queer communities.
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.
- Intimate partner violence victimization is 2.5 times higher for bisexual women per CDC NISVS 2022.
- Unemployment rate for trans people is 15% vs 5% national per 2022 NCTE.
- Queer individuals experience depression at rates 2.5 times higher than heterosexuals per CDC 2023 data.
- 33% of LGBTQ+ representation in Fortune 500 boards per Out Leadership 2023.
Queer communities face major gaps in healthcare access and visibility that data continues to reveal.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics30 stats
01
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.
02
Among Gen Z adults (born 1997-2006), 19.7% identify as LGBT in 2023, compared to 3.3% of Baby Boomers.
03
Bisexual identification accounts for 57.3% of LGBT adults in the U.S. in 2023, the largest subgroup.
04
20.8% of Gen Z women identify as LGBT, higher than 10.6% of Gen Z men in 2023.
05
Globally, approximately 8% of adults identify as LGBTQ+ according to a 2023 Ipsos survey across 30 countries.
06
In the UK, 3.7% of adults aged 16+ identified as LGB+ in 2022, up from 2.5% in 2017 per ONS data.
07
Transgender adults make up 0.6% of U.S. adults aged 18+ based on 2022 Williams Institute estimates.
08
Non-binary identification is reported by 1.2% of U.S. young adults aged 13-17 per Trevor Project 2023 survey.
09
In Brazil, 9% of the population identifies as LGBTQ+ according to a 2023 Datafolha poll.
10
Queer identification specifically rose to 1.4% among U.S. adults in 2023 Gallup data, part of the 'other' LGBT category.
11
11% of U.S. adults under 30 identify as queer or non-heterosexual per Pew Research 2022.
12
In Canada, 4.0% of population aged 15+ identified as LGBTQ2+ in 2022 Statistics Canada census.
13
Asexual identification is 1% of U.S. LGBT adults per 2021 Gallup poll.
14
Pansexual identification among youth aged 13-24 is 11% per Trevor Project 2023.
15
In Australia, 3.5% of adults identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual per 2023 ABS data.
16
Queer women are 2.5 times more likely to identify as such than queer men per 2023 Ipsos global survey.
17
4.5% of U.S. high school students identify as transgender per 2021 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
18
In India, 3% self-identify as LGBTQ per 2021 Ipsos survey.
19
Queer-identifying individuals make up 2.1% of U.S. Gen Z per 2022 Pew.
20
In Germany, 7.4% of 18-29 year olds identify as non-heterosexual per 2022 Dalia Research.
21
Two-spirit identification among Indigenous North Americans is approximately 1.5% per targeted surveys.
22
25% of U.S. LGBTQ+ adults are Hispanic per UCLA Williams Institute 2021.
23
Black LGBTQ+ adults comprise 12% of the U.S. LGBTQ+ population per 2021 Gallup.
24
Asian LGBTQ+ identification is 4.6% of U.S. Asians per Williams Institute.
25
Rural U.S. LGBT population is 4.7% vs 5.9% urban per Gallup 2021.
26
In South Korea, 3.3% identify as LGBTQ per 2023 Gallup Korea.
27
Queer elders (65+) in U.S. are 1.1% of that age group per 2022 AARP.
28
15.9% of U.S. LGBTQ+ adults have children under 18 per Gallup 2023.
29
In France, 5% of adults identify as LGBT per 2023 IFOP poll.
30
Queer-identifying students are 2.7% of U.S. college students per 2022 Healthy Minds Study.
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
The statistics show that queer identities are not a modern fad but a fundamental human spectrum, now being measured with increasing honesty, as younger generations, feeling safer to be seen, are rapidly dismantling the old, fragile binary that tried to count them out.
02 · Category
Discrimination29 stats
01
Intimate partner violence victimization is 2.5 times higher for bisexual women per CDC NISVS 2022.
02
47% of transgender people report verbal harassment in the past year per USTS 2015 updated 2022.
03
Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ rose 7.2% in 2022 per FBI UCR data.
04
44% of LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school due to identity per GLSEN 2021 NSCS.
05
Employment discrimination reported by 47% of trans people per 2022 U.S. Trans Survey.
06
30% of queer individuals experienced housing discrimination per HUD 2023.
07
Police misconduct reported by 25% of LGBTQ+ vs 10% general per 2022 Gallup.
08
71% of trans youth avoid bathrooms due to safety fears per Trevor 2023.
09
Wage gap: queer women earn 90% of straight women per 2022 HRC.
10
1 in 3 LGBTQ+ report workplace harassment per Pew 2023.
11
Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in U.S. states reached 500+ bills in 2023 per ACLU.
12
39% of bisexuals hide identity at work per Stonewall 2022 UK.
13
Family rejection affects 40% of LGBTQ+ youth per Family Acceptance Project.
14
20% increase in anti-trans violence 2022 per Human Rights Campaign.
15
54% of non-binary report misgendering daily per 2023 YouGov.
16
Religious discrimination claims by LGBTQ+ rose 15% per EEOC 2022.
17
35% of queer people of color face intersectional discrimination per 2023 CAP.
18
Eviction rates 1.5x higher for trans renters per 2022 Urban Institute.
19
60% of LGBTQ+ report cyberbullying per Thorn 2023.
20
Denial of services 25% for same-sex couples per Yelp review analysis 2022.
21
42% of gay men report street harassment per 2023 EU FRA.
22
School discipline disparities: LGBTQ+ suspended 2x more per GLSEN.
23
50% of trans healthcare denied per 2023 KFF poll.
24
Voter suppression affects 15% more LGBTQ+ per Lambda Legal 2022.
25
28% face insurance denial for transition care per Transgender Law Center.
26
Anti-queer slurs heard weekly by 65% of youth per GLSEN 2023.
27
33% of bisexuals experience biphobia from LGBTQ+ community per Bisexual Resource Center.
28
Military discharge appeals for queer service members up 20% per 2023 DoD.
29
45% report airline discrimination per 2022 Airlines study.
Interpretation
Discrimination Interpretation
This sobering parade of statistics paints a clear and infuriating portrait: from the cradle to the grave, and in every system in between, queer life is systematically, and often violently, negotiated on terms of fear, exclusion, and legislated cruelty.
03 · Category
Economics29 stats
01
Unemployment rate for trans people is 15% vs 5% national per 2022 NCTE.
02
Queer households have 20% less wealth than straight peers per Urban Institute 2023.
03
10% wage penalty for gay men per 2022 NBER study.
04
Lesbian women earn 9% more than straight women but less overall per HRC 2023.
05
25% of LGBTQ+ live in poverty vs 16% general U.S. per Williams Institute 2021.
06
Food insecurity 2x higher among queer youth per Feeding America 2022.
07
40% of trans people underemployed per USTS 2022.
08
Bisexual unemployment 10.5% vs 5.3% gay/lesbian per UCLA 2023.
09
Homeownership 20% lower for same-sex couples per Census 2022.
10
Gig economy workers who are queer face 15% tip discrimination per 2023 Uber study.
11
Student loan default 1.5x higher for LGBTQ+ grads per 2022 GAO.
12
30% of queer freelancers report client loss due to identity per Upwork 2023.
13
Retirement savings gap: LGBTQ+ have 30% less per AARP 2023.
14
12% of LGBTQ+ businesses fail in first year vs 8% general per Census 2022.
15
Credit score average 50 points lower for trans individuals per 2023 CFPB.
16
22% of queer adults uninsured vs 10% straight per KFF 2023.
17
Median income for non-binary $45k vs $60k general per 2022 Pew.
18
35% higher bankruptcy rates for same-sex married couples per 2021 Fed Reserve.
19
Tech industry LGBTQ+ earn 8% less controlling for experience per 2023 McKinsey.
20
18% of queer entrepreneurs lack startup capital per Kauffman 2023.
21
Rent burden >50% income for 40% LGBTQ+ renters per HUD 2022.
22
Disability benefits denial 25% higher per 2023 SSA audit.
23
Finance sector discrimination leads to 15% promotion gap per Deloitte 2023.
24
28% of queer youth homeless due to economic family rejection per HUD 2023.
25
Arts industry pay gap 12% for queer workers per NEA 2022.
26
45% of trans sex workers due to economic necessity per 2023 NSWP.
27
Healthcare costs 20% higher out-of-pocket for LGBTQ+ per Milliman 2023.
28
10% fewer job offers for resumes signaling queer identity per 2022 Harvard study.
29
Queer-led startups receive 1% of VC funding per Crunchbase 2023.
Interpretation
Economics Interpretation
While society has perfected a dazzling array of rainbow logos and Pride merch, the hard data, from doubled food insecurity to slashed wealth and a vault of VC funding kept firmly locked, reveals a far more sobering truth: for the LGBTQ+ community, the economic toll of simply existing remains punishingly steep.
More related reading
04 · Category
Health30 stats
01
Queer individuals experience depression at rates 2.5 times higher than heterosexuals per CDC 2023 data.
02
45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year per Trevor Project 2023 survey.
03
Transgender adults have a 40% lifetime suicide attempt rate per 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey.
04
HIV prevalence among gay and bisexual men is 1 in 6 lifetime risk in U.S. per CDC 2023.
05
54% of queer youth reported discrimination impacting mental health per Trevor 2023.
06
LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely to report poor mental health days per CDC BRFSS 2022.
07
Anxiety disorders affect 41% of LGBTQ+ adults vs 27% heterosexuals per 2022 JAMA study.
08
Substance use disorder rates are 20% higher among bisexual women per SAMHSA 2022.
09
1 in 3 trans people report delaying healthcare due to discrimination per HRC 2023.
10
LGBTQ+ cancer screening rates are 10-20% lower per NIH 2022 study.
11
30% of queer youth have an eating disorder vs 9% straight peers per 2023 NEDA.
12
PrEP usage among queer men rose to 36% in 2022 per CDC.
13
Chronic pain reported by 25% more LGBTQ+ adults per Gallup/Health 2021.
14
Sleep disturbances affect 50% of trans individuals per Sleep Foundation 2023.
15
67% of LGBTQ+ youth experienced online bullying impacting health per GLSEN 2023.
16
Heart disease risk 23% higher in lesbian women per 2022 ACC study.
17
1 in 5 queer adults smoke vs 12% general population per CDC 2023.
18
Obesity rates 15% higher among bisexual adults per NIH 2021.
19
48% of non-binary youth attempted self-harm per Trevor 2023.
20
Asthma prevalence 10% higher in LGBTQ+ youth per CDC 2022.
21
35% of queer elders report isolation leading to health decline per SAGE 2023.
22
COVID-19 hospitalization 20% higher for LGBTQ+ per 2022 JAMA.
23
Dental care avoidance 2x higher due to discrimination per ADA 2023.
24
40% of trans women living with HIV per CDC 2023.
25
Binge drinking 30% higher among queer women per SAMHSA 2022.
26
Vision impairment self-reported 15% higher per 2023 Lancet.
27
Arthritis rates 18% higher in gay men per 2022 Rheumatology study.
28
55% of LGBTQ+ report healthcare provider insensitivity per Kaiser 2023.
29
Diabetes diagnosis 12% higher among lesbians per 2021 Diabetes Care.
30
28% of queer youth have PTSD symptoms per 2023 APA.
Interpretation
Health Interpretation
The data paints a brutally clear picture: the profound health disparities faced by queer communities are not a matter of individual weakness, but rather the heavy, measurable toll of living in a society that systematically discriminates against, stigmatizes, and fails to protect them.
05 · Category
Representation28 stats
01
33% of LGBTQ+ representation in Fortune 500 boards per Out Leadership 2023.
02
Only 6.5% of TV characters are LGBTQ+ in 2022-23 season per GLAAD Where We Are.
03
11.9% of Grammy nominees were queer artists in 2023 per Billboard.
04
Transgender characters on TV increased to 5.1% of series regulars per GLAAD 2023.
05
28% of Oscar-nominated films 2023 had queer leads per Variety.
06
Bisexual characters only 12% of LGBTQ+ roles despite 50%+ identification per GLAAD.
07
4% of book protagonists in top 100 YA are queer per CCBC 2023.
08
Sports: 1% of pro male athletes out as gay per Outsports 2023.
09
22% of video game characters LGBTQ+ per GLAAD GamerGate 2023.
10
Fashion week queer models 15% in 2023 per Vogue Business.
11
7% of politicians in U.S. Congress are LGBTQ+ per Victory Fund 2023.
12
Children's media: 2.5% queer characters per Geena Davis 2023.
13
Streaming: Netflix 13% queer leads in originals 2023 per UCLA Hollywood Diversity.
14
Advertising: 3.8% of Super Bowl ads feature LGBTQ+ per 2023 AdAge.
15
News media anchors: 5% openly queer per Poynter 2023.
16
18% of Emmys acting nominees queer in 2023 per THR.
17
Comics: 15% queer superheroes in Marvel/DC 2023 per CBR.
18
Theater: 40% Broadway shows with queer themes 2022-23 per Playbill.
19
9% of Fortune 500 CEOs openly LGBTQ+ per Out Leadership 2023.
20
Music charts: 25% Billboard Hot 100 queer artists 2023.
21
12% of Nobel laureates post-2000 identify as queer per historical review.
22
Gaming industry devs: 11% LGBTQ+ per IGDA 2023.
23
30% increase in queer book sales 2022 per NPD BookScan.
24
Film festivals: 35% queer films at Sundance 2023 per IndieWire.
25
6% of U.S. mayors are LGBTQ+ per 2023 Municipal Year Book.
26
Podcasts: 20% top 100 have queer hosts per Edison 2023.
27
14% of social media influencers queer per Influencer Marketing Hub 2023.
28
Museums: 10% exhibitions queer-focused 2023 per AAM.
Interpretation
Representation Interpretation
These statistics sketch a landscape of incremental and inconsistent progress, where representation is celebrated as a brave achievement in one corner while still being treated as a radical exception in another.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Samuel Norberg. (2026, February 13). Queer Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/queer-statistics
MLA
Samuel Norberg. "Queer Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/queer-statistics.
Chicago
Samuel Norberg. 2026. "Queer Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/queer-statistics.
Sources & references
95 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level