Almost a quarter of millennials identify as LGBTQ

Twenty percent of millennials identify as LGBTQ, according to a new study by campaign group GLAAD.

These 18- 34-year-olds are almost twice as likely to identify as LGBTQ than those over 35, according to survey results from 2,037 US adults.

The poll, conducted as part of a study called Accelerating Acceptance, found that:

The survey results also show that more young people are more likely to identify outside of traditional gay/straight and male/female binaries.

As well as the 16 per cent of of millennials who said they don't identify as straight, 12 per cent said they identify as transgender or gender non-conforming. This is double the amount of Generation X-ers who say they same.

In the UK, the percentage identifying as LGBTQ is even higher. YouGov research shows that 23 per cent of British people identify as something other than 'completely straight' when asked to plot themselves on a sexuality scale, and this figure rises to 49 per cent among 18- to 24-year-olds.

Similarly to the GLAAD research, the YouGov data showed gender and sexuality becoming more fluid with each generation, with 43 per cent of 18- 24-year-olds identifying as non-binary, and only 46 per cent identifying as 'completely hetrosexual'.

GLAAD noted that their study is particularly timely as LGBTQ rights seem to have come under attack by the Trump administration despite campaign pledges to the contrary.

Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President and CEO said:

As the administration begins to fulfil its pledges to move the country backwards, many are concerned about progress made in recent years for the LGBTQ community

However, this report shows a remarkable new era of understanding and acceptance among young people – an inspiring indication of the future. Though laws can be unwritten, hearts and minds in America have been changed for the better – and that is a reality less easily unravelled.

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