Gitnux/Report 2026

Sexual Orientation Statistics

Gen Z is far more likely to identify as LGBTQ+: 19.7% do in 2023. See how identity varies by age, and what those trends signal.
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Sexual Orientation Statistics
Ryan TownsendWritten by Ryan Townsend·Edited by Peter Sandoval·Fact-checked by Rajesh Patel
Last verified Jul 24, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

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Next review Jan 2027
Sexual orientation and LGBTQ+ identity vary widely across the U.S., including by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. In 2023, 7.2% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+, while support and identification levels are higher among younger adults. Public opinion has also moved toward acceptance, yet gaps remain—such as differing support by political party and differences in nondiscrimination laws. This page uses national survey data to map these patterns and connect them to key mental health outcomes, including elevated depression and suicide risk reported among some LGB and transgender adults.

Key Takeaways

  • 72% of Americans support same-sex marriage in 2023
  • 61% support nondiscrimination laws for LGBT
  • 71% say homosexuality should be accepted
  • 20.8% of Gen Z women identify as LGBT
  • 10.6% of Gen Z men identify as LGBT
  • Bisexual identification higher among women (11.4%) than men (2.0%)
  • 28% higher depression rates among LGB adults
  • LGB youth 4x more likely to attempt suicide
  • 40% of transgender adults attempted suicide
  • 7.2% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+ in 2023
  • 19.7% of Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ+ in 2023
  • 11.3% of Millennials identify as LGBTQ+ in 2023
  • Support for gay marriage rose from 27% in 1996 to 70% 2021
  • LGBT identification doubled from 3.5% in 2012 to 7.1% in 2022
  • Bisexual identification tripled since 2012

In 2023, most Americans support LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance while LGBT identification continues rising, especially among youth.

Related reading

01 · Category

Attitudes16 stats

01
72% of Americans support same-sex marriage in 2023
02
61% support nondiscrimination laws for LGBT
03
71% say homosexuality should be accepted
04
49% of Republicans support gay marriage
05
87% Democrats support gay marriage
06
60% oppose transgender athletes in sports matching gender identity
07
69% say gender determined at birth
08
81% of young adults (18-29) accept homosexuality
09
38% in Nigeria accept homosexuality
10
94% in Canada accept homosexuality
11
55% support adoption by gay couples
12
70% favor gay kissing in public
13
92% of LGBT report discrimination experiences
14
39% say society more accepting now
15
19% of Americans know transgender person
16
62% oppose religious refusal of services to gays
Interpretation

Attitudes Interpretation

Attitudes toward LGBT people are broadly favorable in the United States, with 72% supporting same-sex marriage and 71% saying homosexuality should be accepted, though views sharply split by party and are more negative on transgender participation in sports, as only 60% oppose transgender athletes.

02 · Category

Demographics24 stats

01
20.8% of Gen Z women identify as LGBT
02
10.6% of Gen Z men identify as LGBT
03
Bisexual identification higher among women (11.4%) than men (2.0%)
04
LGBT identification highest among Black (9.5%) and Hispanic (8.8%) adults
05
4.7% of White U.S. adults identify as LGBT
06
Urban areas have 9.3% LGBT vs 4.3% rural
07
LGBT higher in West (7.9%) vs Midwest (5.5%)
08
College graduates 6.2% LGBT vs 4.8% non-grads
09
LGBT identification 9.3% among Democrats, 2.3% Republicans
10
Median age of gay men coming out 18, lesbians 17
11
Younger cohorts come out earlier, Gen Z at 14 median
12
25% of LGBT adults married or partnered
13
39% of LGBT have children
14
Higher LGBT rates in arts/entertainment (13%)
15
Lower in farming/mining (1.6%)
16
12.1% of bisexuals in poverty vs 6.5% straights
17
Gay men earn 10% more than straight men
18
Lesbians earn 9% less than straight women
19
Transgender poverty rate 29.4%
20
54% of LGBT adults have college degree vs 40% straights
21
Hispanic LGBT 16% foreign-born
22
Black LGBT youth 24% vs 14% white
23
Asian American LGBT identification 5.4%
24
LGBT veterans 3.5% of veterans
Interpretation

Demographics Interpretation

From a demographics perspective, LGBT identification is notably higher among Gen Z women at 20.8% than Gen Z men at 10.6%, and it also varies by place and race with urban areas at 9.3% versus rural at 4.3% and higher rates among Black adults at 9.5% and Hispanic adults at 8.8%.

03 · Category

Health21 stats

01
28% higher depression rates among LGB adults
02
LGB youth 4x more likely to attempt suicide
03
40% of transgender adults attempted suicide
04
Gay men HIV prevalence 12%
05
Bisexual men 10x HIV risk vs straight
06
LGB smoking rates 23% vs 15% straight
07
Lesbian obesity 25% higher
08
Transgender 2.5x cardiovascular disease risk
09
50% of LGB report healthcare discrimination
10
Gay men alcohol use disorder 20% vs 10% straight
11
Bisexual women highest depression 48%
12
LGBT youth bullying victimization 3x higher
13
Trans adults uninsured 21% vs 10% cis
14
LGB cancer screening lower by 10-20%
15
Gay/bisexual men PrEP use 35%
16
Lesbian substance use 30% higher
17
Transgender hormone therapy reduces suicide ideation 40%
18
LGB intimate partner violence 44% lifetime
19
Bisexual IPV highest at 61%
20
LGBT homelessness youth 40% of homeless youth
21
Gay men anxiety disorders 42% vs 25% straight
Interpretation

Health Interpretation

For the Health category, the data show striking mental health and chronic disease burdens, with LGB youth 4 times more likely to attempt suicide and 40% of transgender adults attempting suicide, alongside elevated risks like gay men’s 12% HIV prevalence and LGB smoking rates at 23% versus 15% for straight people.

More related reading

04 · Category

Prevalence30 stats

01
7.2% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+ in 2023
02
19.7% of Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ+ in 2023
03
11.3% of Millennials identify as LGBTQ+ in 2023
04
4.0% of Gen X identify as LGBTQ+ in 2023
05
2.0% of Boomers identify as LGBTQ+ in 2023
06
1.1% of Silent Generation identify as LGBTQ+ in 2023
07
3.5% of U.S. adults identified as LGBT in 2012
08
5.6% of U.S. adults identified as LGBT in 2020
09
2.5% of U.S. men identify as gay
10
8.5% of U.S. women identify as LGBT
11
57.3% of LGBT adults identify as bisexual
12
21.8% of LGBT adults identify as gay
13
8.8% of LGBT adults identify as lesbian
14
1.8% identify as transgender
15
86.6% of Gen Z LGBT identify as bisexual
16
1.4% of U.S. population estimated as gay or lesbian by Williams Institute
17
1.7% of U.S. adults estimated as bisexual
18
0.6% transgender adults in U.S.
19
4.5% of U.K. adults identify as LGB
20
1.3% of U.K. adults gay or lesbian
21
0.5% of U.K. adults bisexual
22
3.2% of Brazilian adults non-heterosexual
23
10% lifetime same-sex attraction per Kinsey
24
2-4% exclusively homosexual per modern estimates
25
9.7% of Dutch adults LGB
26
15.5% of U.S. young adults (18-24) LGBT
27
2.8% of U.S. adults report same-sex sexual behavior
28
1.9% of men report lifetime same-sex partners
29
1.5% of women report same-sex attraction
30
4.1% of Australian adults LGB
Interpretation

Prevalence Interpretation

In the prevalence of LGBTQ+ identification, 19.7% of Gen Z adults stand out as far higher than older generations, highlighting how visibility and self-identification are strongest among the youngest cohort in 2023.
Reference

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APA
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). Sexual Orientation Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sexual-orientation-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "Sexual Orientation Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sexual-orientation-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "Sexual Orientation Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sexual-orientation-statistics.

Sources & references

24 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

news.gallup.comwilliamsinstitute.law.ucla.eduons.gov.ukibge.gov.brkinseyinstitute.orgen.wikipedia.orgcbs.nlcdc.govabs.gov.aupewresearch.orgncbi.nlm.nih.govkff.orgstopbullying.govcancer.govnida.nih.govjamanetwork.comhudexchange.infonber.orgjustice.govoutsports.comilga.orglgbtmap.orgglad.orgaclu.org