The US-based Human Rights Campaign Foundation this week released updated population estimates showing that a record-high 12% of U.S. adults, roughly 25.6 million people, identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or gender diverse.
The analysis, drawn from more than 2.4 million responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey collected between 2021 and 2024, is one of the most comprehensive examinations of the LGBTQ+ population to date.
The Household Pulse Survey is one of the last major federal data sources to include a gender identity measure before the Trump administration removed sexual orientation and gender identity questions from approximately 360 federal data collections. By comparison, Australia’s current census is the first to include questions about sexuality and gender identity.
Kelly Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said the figures are important for politicians to be aware of as the United States heads toward its midterm elections.
The advocacy group also noted that several battleground states in the upcoming election have LGBTQ+ populations above 10%. These include Arizona (13.34%), Georgia (11.46%), Michigan (10.95%), New Hampshire (11.88%), North Carolina (10.56%), Ohio (11.29%), Pennsylvania (11.14%), and Texas (12.54%).
“LGBTQ+ Americans are everywhere. There are 25 million of us across the country, and we now have critical mass in almost every state in the nation. We’re not a niche constituency, and no campaign, brand, or employer can afford to treat us like one,” Robinson said.
Among LGBTQ+ adults, approximately 65% are bisexual+, 30% are lesbian or gay, and 5% are straight-identifying transgender or gender-expansive adults. When considering gender identity separately, approximately 21% of LGBTQ+ adults are transgender or gender-expansive.
The report also highlighted that younger people are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+, suggesting this demographic represents a significant voting bloc that may become increasingly influential in future elections.
Readers can view the full report on the Human Rights Campaign website.
