More Americans Identify as LGBT than ever before

[The Greater Ohio Valley]

I'm not entirely sure this is true, per se. It's like "there are more left-handed people since we stopped all-but criminalising being left-handed". They were always there, probably. You just didn't notice because they hid it -or, in some cases, they genuinely didn't use the labels we now identify as queer, like acearos or some such.

The article - nor the OP of this thread - have said that there are more LGBT+ Americans than ever before, just that more LGBT+ Americans are openly and comfortably identifying as such than ever before - at least for as long as we've been keeping records of that.

Honestly, most of history people could just pork whoever they felt like, and while LGBT+ identities didn't exist back then - neither did straight identities for that matter - we can see many people in history who had both same sex partners and opposite sex partners.

Heterosexuality as we know it is a very recent thing in human history, less than one hundred years now. Take a 1901 definition of heterosexuality from the Dorland's Medical Dictionary: "abnormal or perverted appetite toward the opposite sex" or the Merriam Webster dictionary's 1923 definition of heterosexuality: "morbid sexual passion for one of the opposite sex."

Before the late 1860s, heterosexuals and homosexuals didn't even really exist, not to say people didn't feel sexual attraction to exclusively the same sex, the opposite sex, or both, but there weren't any labels to it, people just kinda did whoever they were into. The labels "heterosexual" and "homosexual" date back to late 1860s Hungary and journalist Karl Kertbeny. He coined the two terms that we still have today - as well as two terms we don't use today "monosexual" to describe masturbation and "heterogenit" for bestiality. Presumably these were the sexual experiences he was familiar with existing and just coined terms for them.

In 1934, the definition of heterosexuality was "manifestation of sexual passion for one of the opposite sex; normal sexuality."

There was a massive cultural shift between 1923 and 1934 that resulted in heterosexuality no longer being viewed as perverse, but normal. Meanwhile homosexuality became viewed as perverse. Two sexualities that had been co-existing for thousands of years were suddenly viewed very differently because people coined terms for them and further along, somebody decided one was normal and the other was perverse. Since the invention of the heterosexual identity less than one hundred years ago, we've continued analyzing and defining any and every type of sexuality we can find/think of and that's where we get to all the identities we have today.

Further Reading, if you're interested. I barely touched the surface.

This is a very informative effort post, I like it.

[Thermodolia]

https://abcnews.go.com/US/americans-identify-lgbt-poll/story?id=76097305

A new poll has found that more adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender than ever before.

According to a Gallup poll released Wednesday, 5.6% of United States adults identify as LGBT. That's up from 4.5%, based on the company's 2017 data. In 2012, when Gallup began tracking the measure, that number was 3.5%.

I find it very interesting the numbers are going up while I am at a loss to explain why with any certainty it is very welcome news more people are being open about their sexual orientation. Perhaps it could be increasing majority support for LGBT rights and overall acceptance. Public figures being open about it including people in elected office likely gives vindication.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the numbers have grown in other countries too. Your thoughts NSG?

The numbers are going up because increasing acceptance has made it more likely that LGBT people openly identify with it.

Shocker

[Iarann Grudaidh]

Maybe because society no longer kills or attacks gay people (as much) for... yknow... being gay, and it's more common knowledge and less feared to identify as gay.

[Thermodolia]

What makes you think it’s just some enclaves?

I don't think Poland or the Southern US would be cool with LGBT people being out.

I think if youre in some rural areas of the US you will get attacked or killed just for existing if they know youre LGBT. I don't think society is as inclusive outside of cosmopolitain areas. Just my experience leads me to believe this.

As someone from the US south things are a lot different than they where 20 or 10 years ago. It’s actually now the PNW where you’ll find more homophobia.

[Utopian States of America]

Nice.

[San Lumen]

Yes true. Rural areas are less generally accepting.

The two things are no doubt related. LGBTQ who don't feel welcome in country towns, move to the nearest friendly city, increasing the percentage there. I imagine it would avalanche too, as there are fewer and fewer potential hookups for a LGBTQ-er in the country town.

True. I saw a study from a few years ago that said the vast majority of LGBT people are in cities.

[Thermodolia]

Atlanta has one of the highest LGBT populations in the US.

Drive, like, 60 miles north of there and ask the same question.

You’d find it won’t change actually. Hell way up in the north georgia mountains the city of Blue Ridge has a lot of gay couples and is considered to be one of the most gay friendly places in the nation.

Things have changed in the south.

[Thermodolia]

Atlanta has one of the highest LGBT populations in the US.

That's your enclave.

Interestingly the enclave is most of the state. You can go pretty much anywhere in the state and not have very many issues. Granted it does really only apply to LGB people in most of the state as Trans+ individuals are still widely hated.

[Rigeland]

(The following is not IC)
HEAVEN TIMES

Mr.Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe,who arrived here in 2019,is very worried on hearing such a news.He claims that American propaganda will to lead to more Zimbabweans to become gays,a scenario which is absolutely unacceptable to him......

[San Lumen]

Drive, like, 60 miles north of there and ask the same question.

You’d find it won’t change actually. Hell way up in the north georgia mountains the city of Blue Ridge has a lot of gay couples and is considered to be one of the most gay friendly places in the nation.

Things have changed in the south.

'Thats very surprising. good to know things have changed.

[My Political Fantasy]

Maybe because society no longer kills or attacks gay people (as much) for... yknow... being gay, and it's more common knowledge and less feared to identify as gay.

It's probably due to the increasing individualism of western society that small differences in behaviors and practices don't threaten people.

[Ifreann]

Cool and good.

[Ethel mermania]

As people are more comfortable with the notion, 1 more people are comfortable exploring their feelings that way and 2, are more comfortable admitting their gay to others.

[Borderlands of Rojava]

Imagine marrying a woman and having kids with her but you never were even attracted to women to begin with. That was the life of a gay man in 1890, a true tragedy.

[Ethel mermania]

Imagine marrying a woman and having kids with her but you never were even attracted to women to begin with. That was the life of a gay man in 1890, a true tragedy.

I had a work friend who became a trans woman after he was married and had two kids.

[Ainland]

If there is a genetic factor to homosexuality (albeit this is yet unknown), then presumably the figure will eventually go down, as acceptance increases. Since there will be fewer gay people 'living a lie' and having children, as opposed to accepting their sexuality and living with it.

Although this wouldn't have an impact on the transgender figure. I wonder if there are separate figures for homosexuality and transgenderism? As these are very different, and I'm not sure of the reasoning for counting them together in a study like this?

I think it was about ten years ago, the biggest study on homosexuality numbers in the UK, resulted in around 6% 'of the workforce' self-identitying as gay (anonymously, iirc).

[San Lumen]

If there is a generic factor to homosexuality (albeit this is yet unknown), then presumably the figure will eventually go down, as acceptance increases. Since there will be fewer gay people 'living a lie' and having children, as opposed to accepting their sexuality and living with it.

Although this wouldn't have an impact on the transgender figure. I wonder if there are separate figures for homosexuality and transgenderism? As these are very different, and I'm not sure of the reasoning for counting them together in a study like this?

I think it was about ten years ago, the biggest study on homosexuality numbers in the UK, resulted in around 6% 'of the workforce' self-identitying as gay (anonymously, iirc).

What do you mean by generic factor?

[Major-Tom]

Drive, like, 60 miles north of there and ask the same question.

You’d find it won’t change actually. Hell way up in the north georgia mountains the city of Blue Ridge has a lot of gay couples and is considered to be one of the most gay friendly places in the nation.

Things have changed in the south.

Not too bad, then. I've found that a lot of the rural conservative types have shifted their ire towards Transgender folks, which is still really quite problematic.

[Ainland]

What do you mean by generic factor?

Genetic (auto-correct). Fixed, thanks.

[Katganistan]

What a very specific and suspiciously uniform figure - those are usually correct right?

It seems you don't understand what the word "Most" means, Bakery.

I hear most ("Most" generally means "Not all, but the vast majority") high schools offer some form of remedial classes for adults. Maybe you could attend one of their English classes sometime?

*** Warned for flamebaiting. ***

[San Lumen]

What do you mean by generic factor?

Genetic (auto-correct). Fixed, thanks.

Your welcome. While no gay gene has been found it is accepted by mainstream science that its not a choice.

[Ainland]

Genetic (auto-correct). Fixed, thanks.

Your welcome. While no gay gene has been found it is accepted by mainstream science that its not a choice.

Indeed. No disagreements here!

[The New California Republic]

Imagine marrying a woman and having kids with her but you never were even attracted to women to begin with. That was the life of a gay man in 1890, a true tragedy.

1890? I remember gay men having a so called "beard" being quite common in the 1990s...

[Auzkhia]

The younger generations of Americans who grow up with hearing more about lgbtqia+ awareness and gradual acceptance of people who are not exclusively cisgender and heterosexual/straight.

Talking with older gay and queer people, and especially also older trans people, I've heard more horror stories compared to younger lgbtq+ people. I feel like I am between some generations, but generally I am on the younger end, and even people who are not that younger or older have slightly different experiences. I was starting college when same-sex marriage was finally legalized in all 50 US states and DC, and it was also the year of the trans tipping point in acceptance, albeit gradual and slow, and now we're seeing the rise of transphobic backlash.

Overall, increased awareness and acceptance means that more and more people will sooner realize that they are not straight and/or cis, and also be more likely to be out as well.

So how's your support of TERF's working out for ya?

I see you're having a normal moment.

Like a non-binary queer trans woman supports terfs, because she disagrees with MRAs? They hate my guts, they hate trans people especially trans women and transfeminine NB people, that's why they are trans exclusionary. If you're gonna try to snipe me with Wisenheimer remarks, just leave me alone, the foe button exists for a reason.

Imagine marrying a woman and having kids with her but you never were even attracted to women to begin with. That was the life of a gay man in 1890, a true tragedy.

1890? I remember gay men having a so called "beard" being quite common in the 1990s...

And lavender marriages too, that was definitely a twentieth century thing.

Genetic (auto-correct). Fixed, thanks.

Your welcome. While no gay gene has been found it is accepted by mainstream science that its not a choice.

The gay gene is probably a myth.

Nobody knows why people are queer, but frankly it doesn't matter. It does not matter whether they are "born this way" or if sexuality were a choice, being queer is worthy of respect and dignity.

You’d find it won’t change actually. Hell way up in the north georgia mountains the city of Blue Ridge has a lot of gay couples and is considered to be one of the most gay friendly places in the nation.

Things have changed in the south.

Not too bad, then. I've found that a lot of the rural conservative types have shifted their ire towards Transgender folks, which is still really quite problematic.

I went university in a rural conservative region, shopping at the dying mall's department stores for my first sets of feminine clothing got me looks and stares from the old people who would frequent it.

Imagine marrying a woman and having kids with her but you never were even attracted to women to begin with. That was the life of a gay man in 1890, a true tragedy.

I had a work friend who became a trans woman after she he was married and had two kids.

She, you mean.

Sometimes trans people might be with straight people in marriages and even have kids before the they transition, it's not that uncommon. Like, for trans women who were married before they transitioned, it often ends in separation but that's understandable because straight women don't want wives and aren't typically attracted to women.

[Thermodolia]

You’d find it won’t change actually. Hell way up in the north georgia mountains the city of Blue Ridge has a lot of gay couples and is considered to be one of the most gay friendly places in the nation.

Things have changed in the south.

Not too bad, then. I've found that a lot of the rural conservative types have shifted their ire towards Transgender folks, which is still really quite problematic.

Pretty much, being gay isn’t really seen as a big deal anymore. But being trans, well ya fucked