Stonewall survey finds more than quarter of 'Gen Z' identify as LGBTQ

Stonewall survey finds more than a quarter of ‘Gen Z’ 16 to 25-year-olds identify as LGBTQ compared to less than 10 per cent of ‘Baby Boomers’

  • Stonewall says 71 per cent of Gen Z respondents identified as straight in survey
  • But for Baby Boomers – those aged 56 to 75 – the figure was as high as 91 per cent
  • For Gen X, aged 43 to 56, the figure was 87%, and Millenials, 27 to 42, it was 82%
  • The report by LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall uses data collected by Ipsos UK in June

More than a quarter of younger people now identify as LGBT, according to a new survey by Stonewall.

The LGBTQ+ charity claims 71 per cent of Gen Z respondents – those aged 16 to 26 –  identify as straight.

The figure is a contrast to the Baby Boomer generation – those aged 56 to 75 – in which 91 per cent described themselves as straight.

Of the next generation, Gen X, described as being those aged 43 to 56, Stonewall said 87 per cent described themselves as straight.

The figure was 82 per cent for Millennials – those aged 27-42 – according to Stonewall.

In its report, which uses data from polling company Ipsos UK, Stonewall said the results show Britain is becoming a ‘rainbow nation’.

It said: ‘For decades now, we have seen a steady increase in social acceptance of lesbian, gay and bi relationships, and steady increase in the percentage of the population who identify as lesbian, gay or bi.

More than a quarter of younger people now identify as LGBT, according to a new survey by Stonewall. The LGBTQ+ charity claims 71 per cent of Gen Z respondents – those aged 16 to 26 – identify as straight. Pictured: People watch a Pride Parade in Birmingham in September

In its report, which uses data from polling company Ipsos UK, Stonewall said the results show Britain is becoming a ‘rainbow nation’. Pictured: Team MOBILISE take part in the Pride Parade in Birmingham in September

‘Measuring the trans population and attitudes to trans people through social surveys is a newer phenomenon, so we don’t have the same longitudinal data.

‘This groundbreaking report using data from Ipsos UK paints a picture of a Britain that is becoming a Rainbow Nation.’

According to Stonewall, the data comes from three surveys carried out by Ipsos in June and August. In each of the surveys, around 2,150 people in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were surveyed.

The charity says that for Gen Z respondents only 71 per cent identify as straight.

Of those who did not identify as straight, 14 per cent identified as bisexual or pansexual – those who are attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender.

Five per cent described themselves as asexual – someone who has a lack of sexual attraction or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity – two per cent as gay and three per cent as lesbian.

Four per cent described themselves as ‘other’, one per cent described themselves as ‘don’t know’ and three per cent said they would ‘prefer not to say’.

By contrast, none of the Baby Boomer respondents identified as asexual, pan, lesbian or other. Three per cent described themselves as gay, while two per cent identified as bi.

The charity says that for Gen Z respondents only 71 per cent identify as straight. Of those who did not identify as straight, 14 per cent identified as bisexual or pansexual – those who are attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender 

According to Stonewall, the data comes from three surveys carried out by Ipsos in June and August. In each of the surveys, around 2,150 people in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were surveyed

The charity said in its report: ‘This report comes after we have witnessed a steady increase in social acceptance and visibility of LGBTQ+ people in recent decades.

‘This new era of openness in Britain has led to an environment where more people are free to be themselves and are more confident in their sexual and gender identity.’

The Stonewall figures come following the latest official UK statistics for the year 2020 on sexuality.

The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics, found that the proportion of the UK population aged 16 years and over who identified as heterosexual or straight was 93.6 per cent in 2020.

The report also found that people aged 16 to 24 years were most likely of all groups to identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual in 2020, at eight per cent.

Hate crimes motivated by transgender identity rise by 56 per cent in a year, figures show 

Home Office figures show police recorded hate crimes motivated by transgender identity rose by 56 per cent in a year.

There were 4,355 such crimes recorded by forces in England and Wales in the year to March 2022, up from 2,799 in the previous 12 months.

The overall number of hate crimes recorded by police rose 26 per cent in that period to 155,841, a new record high.

The figure has more than tripled over the last decade.

Although fewer hate crimes motivated by transgender identity were recorded compared with all other motivations, this group saw the biggest percentage rise.

Racially motivated hate crimes account for 70 per cent of the offences recorded.

The Home Office said transgender issues have been ‘heavily discussed on social media’ over the last year, which may have led to an increase in related hate crimes.

Nancy Kelley, the chief executive of Stonewall, described the figures as ‘deeply worrying’ and as showing an ‘alarming rise’ in LGBTQ+ people being targeted because of who they are.

‘These figures are another reminder that the constant drumbeat of anti LGBTQ+ sentiment in media and politics has a human cost,’ she added.

A Home Office spokesman said: ‘Hate crime is a scourge on communities across the country.

‘It does not reflect the values of modern Britain.

‘While the rise in cases is likely to be largely driven by improvements in police recording, these can be serious crimes such as assault and we cannot be complacent.

‘We expect the police to fully investigate these hateful attacks and make sure the cowards who commit them feel the full force of the law.’

Source: Read Full Article