LGBT Americans reach record number, more likely to be Dems, Gen Z: Gallup poll
The percentage of Americans identifying as LGBT has reached record highs, particularly among Generation Z, as indicated by a new Gallup poll released on Thursday. However, one expert believes that this trend could see a shift under President Donald Trump’s administration, as they push back against gender treatments for minors.
According to the Gallup poll, 23% of Generation Z Americans, born between 1997 and 2006, identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. This is higher compared to 14.2% of millennials, born between 1981 and 1996. These younger generations are more likely to identify as non-heterosexual when compared to older generations like Generation X and Baby Boomers.
The poll, which surveyed over 14,000 U.S. adults through phone interviews, found that 9.3% of Americans identify as LGBT or another non-heterosexual identity. This marks a significant increase from previous years, with only 3.5% in 2012 and around half of the current figure in 2020.
The study also highlighted differences among political ideologies, with LGBT individuals more likely to be female, liberal, White, and reside in urban areas. Nearly triple the number of Americans in their teens, 20s, and 30s identify as bisexual, with a higher percentage of women compared to men.
However, Sarah Parshall Perry, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, believes that the current statistics are a reflection of the Biden administration’s policies on sex and gender over the past four years. She anticipates a reversal under the Trump administration, particularly due to their stance on transgender medical procedures for minors.
Perry stated, “I think now that we’re seeing this return to common sense, we are going to see fewer and fewer young people begin to identify as LGBTQ.” She believes that the policies implemented by the Trump administration will likely impact future survey results.
While the majority of respondents identified as straight, 5.2% identified as bisexual, 2.0% as gay, 1.4% as lesbian, and 1.3% as transgender. Additionally, less than 1% identified with other non-traditional LGBT labels such as pansexual, asexual, or queer, while 5% declined to answer.
President Trump has signed several executive orders related to gender, including one that mandates federal agencies to recognize gender strictly as male or female based on biological sex. These orders have sparked multiple lawsuits and controversies surrounding the treatment of transgender individuals.
In conclusion, the Gallup poll highlights the shifting demographics of LGBT identification in America, with Generation Z leading the trend. The impact of government policies on gender and sexuality remains a significant factor in shaping future survey results and societal attitudes towards the LGBT community.
