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What Percentage Of The Us Population Is Gay
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According to a 2017 Gallop poll, about 4.5% of the adult population in the United States identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). This figure is statistically equal to roughly 11 million adults.
Additionally, a larger 2019 Gallup poll estimated that 10.2% of Americans aged 18-35 identified as LGBT: 5.6% lesbian or gay and 4.6% bisexual — up from 8.2 percent in an earlier 2016 survey.
These surveys demonstrate that despite the continued discrimination toward LGBT people in both central laws and everyday life, visibility has significantly increased in recent years and so too has acceptance among US citizens.
Overview of sexuality demographics in the US
The percentage of the US population that identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) is estimated at 4.5%, according to Gallup estimates in 2019. However, it’s important to note that this figure is likely an underestimate given that not everyone who identities as LGBT will admit their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Nonetheless, when examining population demographics by age group, it appears that younger generations tend to have a slightly higher percentage of those who identify as LGBT than older demographics. In 2018, 8.1% of 18-24 year olds self-reported their LGBT status in the US Census. Similarly, 7% of 25-34 year olds identified as such. As we move into older age groups such as those 55 and above, the number dramatically drops – only 2.6% identified themselves as LGBT members in this demographic.
These results are echoed across other studies conducted by National Center for Health Statistics and Pew Research Center which indicate young adults tend to be more open about their sexuality compared to older generations in the US population.
History of LGBT demographic research
Research on the LGBT demographic has a long and rich history dating back to the 1920s. Over the years, studies have revealed fascinating insights into the size of this population.
Early studies found that around 2% of people identified as queer or gay, a number that has held fairly steady over time. More recent research suggests that about 4.5% of adults in the United States identify as LGBT—a figure that continues to climb each year.
At this point, reliable estimates remain difficult due to a multitude of factors including cultural stigma, inadequate sampling methods and a general lack of data collection. This makes it hard for researchers to accurately pinpoint an exact percentage of the US population who is LGBT – so estimates can vary widely depending on who you ask.
Results from recent surveys on sexual orientation
Recent research on sexual orientation indicates that the percentage of the US population that identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or another minority sexuality is around 4.5%. This number has remained relatively stable since surveys began asking people about sexual orientation in the late 2000s.
Furthermore, recent studies suggest that nearly 1 in 10 American adults identify as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and other non-conforming gender identities). Most LGBT individuals are under the age of 35 and Caucasian. In addition to this, it is estimated that between 0.4% – 0.6% of Americans identify as transgender based on recent survey results.
It is important to note that these numbers may not be completely accurate due to individuals’ reluctance to disclose their true sexual orientation or gender identity on surveys and census forms. However, more research is being conducted each year in order to better understand the population percentages of each minority group within the US.
Estimated percentage of LGBTQ population in the US
According to a Gallup poll, an estimated 4.5% of adults in the United States identify as LGBTQ. This number is slightly higher than previous estimates due to changes in social attitudes and greater acceptance of LGBT individuals.
The U.S. Census does not ask about sexual orientation or gender identity, so it is difficult to determine exact numbers. However, there are other research studies that have sought to estimate the size of this population within the U.S.; one such study suggests that 3-4% identify as some form of non-heterosexual identity, such as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
It appears that these percentages remain relatively stable over time; that is, despite changing social mores and increasing acceptance for members of different sexual orientations and gender identities in our society today, the percentage of people who identify as LGBT remains roughly constant.
Factors contributing to this estimate
The exact percentage of the US population that is gay is impossible to accurately estimate, but research estimates it’s somewhere between 5% and 10%. Factors contributing to this estimate are based on anonymous surveys of demographics in different states and various cultural polls conducted nation-wide.
Social acceptance and self-identification are also major factors that contribute to these estimates. For a long time, many people who identified as part of the LGBT+ community kept their identities hidden out of fear or social pressures. Additionally, there may be gay individuals who do not feel safe enough to identify themselves, skewing the estimate lower than actual levels.
The percentages vary greatly from one state to another. Some states have better laws protecting gender identity and expression which results in higher estimates of LGBT+ populations within those states. Other states still have very limited protection for LGBT+ communities so their estimated numbers are much lower than other parts of the US.
Implications for society and the public policy industry
The fact that a good percentage of the United States population is gay has implications for society and the public policy industry. It shows exactly how diverse our society is, and highlights the importance of inclusion. Non-heterosexual people often face unique challenges in life that not everyone can relate to or understand, so it becomes even more important for society to be accepting and understanding of those issues.
Additionally, this percentage affects public policy decisions. Governments have an obligation to create laws, regulations, and policies that are good for all citizens regardless of their sexuality. While it’s impossible to please everyone all the time, government representatives should nonetheless take into account the various needs and wants of all members of society—including minority groups like the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community—as they make decisions about what is best for the nation as a whole.