The Human Rights Campaign has released a new report based on data from the Census Bureau’s 2021-2024 Household Pulse Survey, which included questions about sexual and gender identity. Under the current administration, these questions have been discontinued, and the information from 2021-2024 was only released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. Analyzing this data, HRC concludes that 3.27% identify exclusively as gay or lesbian, 7.03% as bi-sexual, and 2.34% as transgender. HRC did not reveal whether this data varied by birth sex, although previous surveys suggest females are more likely to identify as non-heterosexual. Some demographic sub-groups are especially likely to identify as LGBTQ+: 31.6% of 18-24 year olds and 22.15% of 25-34 year olds, 16.24% of Hispanics, and 22.6% of DC residents. Among regions, LGBTQ+ identification is strongest in the Western states (14.1%) and weakest in the Midwest and South (11.3%). These figures are higher than even what was reported in the Gallup survey on which we reported in July but it must be emphasized that they merely reflect self-designated identity, not sexual activity or transition status.
HRC Estimates 12% of U.S. Adults are LGBTQ+
