New poll shows 9% of US adults identify as LGBTQ+, nearly triple 2012 figure

A new Gallup poll has found that 9% of adults in the United States now identify as LGBTQ+, marking a dramatic rise from the 3.5% recorded in 2012. The data, collected through more than 13,000 telephone interviews conducted in 2025, also shows that 86% of Americans identify as heterosexual, while 5% chose not to provide a response. 

Although slightly lower than the 9.3% measured in 2024, the latest figure reflects a steady upward trend in LGBTQ+ identification across the past decade. Bisexuality remains the most commonly selected identity within the LGBTQ+ community, representing 58.6% of respondents in that group - equating to around 5.3% of all U.S. adults. 

The rise is driven most strongly by younger Americans. Nearly a quarter (23%) of adults aged 18-29 identify as LGBTQ+, a proportion that falls sharply among older generations. Only 10.4% of those aged 30-49, 3.1% of those aged 50-64, and 2.3% of those aged 65+ say they identify as LGBTQ+. 

Similar patterns emerged in separate reporting, with Gallup’s analysis noting that young adults - especially Generation Z - are significantly more likely to adopt identities other than heterosexual. 

The poll also reveals striking gender differences: 10.5% of women identify as LGBTQ+ compared with just 5.6% of men. Political affiliation appears equally influential. While 14.2% of Democrats identify as LGBTQ+, only 1.9% of Republicans say the same. 

A similar trend was highlighted in broader 2026 coverage, where Democrats and urban residents were found to be more likely to identify as LGBTQ+ than Republicans or those in rural areas. 

Since Gallup began tracking sexual orientation and gender identity in annual polling, the United States has seen a substantial shift in self‑reported LGBTQ+ identity. The company attributes much of the increase to generational change, expanding social acceptance, and broader understanding of diverse identities.

With the share of LGBTQ+ adults having nearly tripled since 2012, researchers suggest the number may continue to grow as younger, more openly identifying generations age into the broader adult population.