According to the Office for National Statistics, the proportion of young people who identify as lesbian, homosexual or bisexual has doubled in recent years. Campaigners call this a “wake-up” call.
The figures show that about one in ten (16-24 year olds) (715,000 or 10,4%) identify themselves as LGB. In 2018, only 310,000 people identified themselves as LGB. This is a percentage of 4.4% or 1 in 20. The new data collected was for 2023.
The number of bisexuals is one reason for the rise. The number of bisexuals doubled from 457,000 to 0.9% between 2018 and 2023.
Women aged 16-24 were more likely to identify as bisexual than men, with 9.2% of women identifying this way compared to 5.9%.
In 2023, 3.8% of all adults aged 16 and older identified themselves as LGB; this is up from just 2.2% in 2018.
In 2018, the proportion of gay and lesbian people increased from 1.4% or 723,000 to 2.4% or 2,470,000.
In 2023, men were more likely to identify themselves as LGB than women. Estimated 4.2% of men (or about 1.1 million people) identified as LGB compared to 3.4% (or 938 000) of women.
Simon Blake, CEO of Stonewall, a LGBTQ+ charity, said that the data should cause businesses and government agencies to pause and reflect on their support of the movement against the Diversity Equity and Inclusion agenda in recent years.
He said, “This data is a wake-up to organisations and government who are rolling back their commitments on LGBTQ+ rights and inclusiveness. Regressive policies and ideas will not stand the test time with these changing demographics. Those who wish to secure a prosperous and secure future for everyone must remain committed to equality and inclusion.
He added that “Lesbians, gays and bisexuals are an increasing part of UK Society, with more LGB youth than ever before.” “The one in ten 16-24-year-olds who identify as LGB are going to be an important part of our lives, workplaces and politics.” They will be supported by their families, friends, and colleagues. They will also demand equal opportunities and rights.
The proportion of older adults who identify as LGB has dropped dramatically across all age groups. One in 10 people under 25 said they were LGB. However, this figure dropped to one in 100 among those over 65. Data showed that 6.3% 25-34-year olds were LGB, while 2.9% 35-49-year-olds were and 2.4% 50-64-year-olds.
London had the largest proportion of adults who identified as LGB (5.2%) in 2023. Census data for 2021 shows that London was followed by South-West England (4.4%), while Northern Ireland (2.2%) and the West Midlands (2.8%) had the lowest percentages.
The ONS said that the numbers were a result of a high level of acceptance for different sexual orientations. The report said that the increase in people who identify as LGB can be attributed to “more people being more willing to identify their sexual orientation as LGB, along with changing social attitudes”.
