New Pew Research Center data shows that just under half of LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S. (48 percent) identify with a religion, compared with 73 percent of non-LGBTQ+ adults. That leaves 52 percent of LGBTQ+ individuals describing themselves as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular,” while only 26 percent of non-LGBTQ+ Americans fall into those categories.
When it comes to religious practice, the gap is even clearer. Only 17 percent of LGBTQ+ adults say religion is very important in their lives, compared with 42 percent of non-LGBTQ+ peers. Just 16 percent attend services at least monthly, while 23 percent pray daily. Among non-LGBTQ+ adults, those numbers rise to 31 percent and 46 percent, respectively.
The study also highlights differences within the LGBTQ+ community. Lesbian and gay adults are more likely than bisexual adults to report a religious affiliation, while bisexual adults show the highest levels of religious disaffiliation overall. Younger LGBTQ+ adults, particularly those under 30, are less likely than older generations to consider religion important or to participate in traditional practices. This generational divide mirrors broader national trends but is more pronounced among LGBTQ+ people.
Still, many LGBTQ+ adults retain a strong sense of spirituality. Pew found only modest differences between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ adults when it comes to personal beliefs, such as whether humans have a soul or spirit. Many LGBTQ+ Americans also report belief in spiritual forces or practices outside institutional religion, from astrology to meditation. Reporting on the study emphasized this nuance: less than half of LGBTQ+ adults identify with a religion, but many still describe themselves as spiritual.
While formal ties to religion are weaker among LGBTQ+ people, spirituality has remained resilient. That reflects both dissatisfaction with institutional religion and a desire to retain personal meaning and connection.
LGBTQ+ Americans are increasingly moving away from churches, synagogues, and mosques while holding onto spirituality or moral frameworks that some believe help them navigate life. The findings suggest a shift, not a rejection of belief, but a rethinking of how faith is experienced, prioritized, and expressed outside traditional religious structures.
For many, spirituality remains a vital part of identity, even when religion does not.