According to a recent report titled “A political and cultural glimpse into America’s future,” nearly a third, or 28 percent, of Gen Z adults in the United States identify as LGBTQ+, a stark increase from older generations. The report was by PRRI, a nonprofit that conducts research on religion, values and public policy.
About 6,000 people were surveyed for the report, the group ranging in age from ages 13 to 65 and older, but they overwhelmingly sampled Gen Z adults and teens during the timeframe of August 21 to September 15, 2023.
The report revealed seven percent of Baby Boomers and 16 percent of millennials identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or “something else.” Among adults aged 18 to 25, 72 percent said they identified as straight, five percent as gay or lesbian and eight percent as “something else.” This group of adults — known as Generation Z or Gen Z — make up about 20 percent of the American population.
The report also broke down how the generational groups are politically affiliated. Results showed 43 percent of Gen Z adults identified as liberal — a larger share than any other generation. The other generations surveyed showed that 39 percent of Millennials and 25 percent of Gen X adults and 25 percent of Baby Boomers identified as liberal, according to PRRI.
Gen Z and millennials are also less likely to list their party affiliation as Republican, and nationwide, only a third of American adults identify as Republican, according to the report. However, only 21 percent of Gen Z adults identify as Republican, while 30 percent identify as Independent and 36 percent identify as Democrat.
Survey participants were asked about their views on the future and about generational change as a whole. Fifty-eight percent of Gen Z adults said they believed “We won’t be able to solve the country’s big problems until the older generation no longer holds power.” Only 43 percent of all respondents agreed with the statement.