According to a Gallup Poll released on Thursday, more Americans identify as LGBTQ+ than ever before, despite heavy attacks from right-wing politicians.
I needed something to smile about. I noticed on the list "undecided" was not listed. I remember at a protest and someone introduced me as one of their favorite Lesbians. I was asked why I did not correct them. WHY? Because it did nt matter. Perhaps on forms I should start identifying as Queer>
To me there is no question that the fierce anti-LGBTQ+ attacks of the last several years are a backlash of the right wing against societal progress, and specifically an attempt to scapegoat trans people in retaliation for the nationwide legalization of gay marriage. It is no accident that the modern-day wave of attacks started after the 2015 Obergefell SCOTUS decision. Much of this has been engineered by right-wing extremist groups and think tanks.
"Yet, rather than forcing people back into the closet, these policies appear to have had the opposite effect: more Americans than ever before openly identify as LGBTQ+."
You are going on the way of occupied Hungary, where I am from. Despite ongoing, relentless anti- LGBTQ+ propaganda, more people are coming out than ever. Result: we gain far more acceptance and eat away the power of the illegal, fascist government.
I work with students at one of my jobs. I'm absolutely terrified of one of them finding out or realizing I'm trans, but I wish so badly that I could show specific support to those students without fear of losing my job. I hope things get better soon. I subscribed today after reading for a few weeks, I realize us trans people have to support each other through these times. You've inspired me to start writing as well. Thank you.
I'll admit, I wasn't a huge fan of Bernie Sanders in his two Presidential runs, but if he stands up to lead the way of deliverance from this nightmare, I'm there.
They are completely nuts here, abolished all GAC for adults too, I had to flee. They are afraid as the system is crumbling on its own incompetence - record high inflation and economic misery they caused - so they commit every cruelty and scapegoating they can to stay in power.
Watch out and resist as hard as you can as we were the laboratory this kind of autocracy was invented in and which is being implemented now in the USA after Hungary was ruined. Trump is a personal friend of our autocrat Orban and they exchange ideas to grip power and ruin as many lives as they can.
I'm in Australia, a defence ally of the US. And not too far from China's navy ships. I hope you're safe where you are now. Care is available here for Trans people but not in all areas, and the policies of Britain and the US have some influence so I follow events.
It makes sense to me that the firestorm of political opposition we've seen would embolden more people to be open; some may know Paul Simon's song (from 1986!!)
"These are the days of miracle and wonder
This is the long distance call
The way the camera follows us in slo-mo
The way we look to us all"
But as one who has lived through several decades now, I find it remarkable that the overall value of 9.3% is statistically identical to what was quoted in academic sexology works in the 1940s and 50s as the number of "gay" people (hardly anyone else was even considered then).
I'm quite confidant the actual incidence does not change at all (as is to be expected from conditions that are innate and not a matter of choice or personality development). Perhaps there will come a day (do we have a dream? Yes, we do) when the opprobrium of society completely disappears and that actual number will be known. I'm sure I won't live to see it.
Jayna, I’m in my 70’s. I sincerely hope that we both live to see LGBTQ+ rights respected and no longer a big deal. Until recent years, we have had huge progress since the 1970’s. The pendulum swings back but with the over the top backlash against us, expect a huge explosion from us and our growing list of allies.
The summer that I perceived that I was transgender was actually before Christine Jorgensen was taken note of by the NYT 😏. (I should have a post up by the end of the day introduced with this tidbit - though that's just the intro!) The slowness of the advance of the conventional civil rights movement (= Black rights and respect) shows how long these things take. But for sure the allies are growing in number and the orcs are diminishing. In between there are still many people who can be educated. We do press on.
I have been watching Eyes On the Prize which is currently on HULU. It is so inspiring and demonstrates the long game of fighting for rights. Perseverance
"But as one who has lived through several decades now, I find it remarkable that the overall value of 9.3% is statistically identical to what was quoted in academic sexology works in the 1940s and 50s as the number of "gay" people (hardly anyone else was even considered then)."
Yeah, I recall in the mid-1990s hearing 10% from the LGBTQIA elders, who I presume got their info from the sources you mention. When reading the OP I was puzzled about the 9.3% being presented as a doubling from 2020.
I don't doubt the accuracy of the reporting, but it it was ~5% in 2020, I wonder what happened the 10% number from decades ago...it seem to imply that figured was determined to be wrong (high) at some point.
Yes, a lovely choice! (I have a video of Paul's "Concert in the Park" in 1991, as well as the Graceland Africa concert; both of them are uplifts to which I often resort!
Cisgendered, white, middle aged woman here. I think this is great news but will this correlate with a growing number of LGBTQ+ voters? I don't know the voting data well enough to address this (maybe someone else here can?) but I can't help but think Gen Z and Millenials are fed up with the whole political system (and who could blame them) and aren't engaging in voting as much. But maybe I'm wrong about that.
It's not only LGBTQIA+ folks. It's the allies who stand beside them more boldly than we would've thought possible years ago. At 71, I remember a lot of those awful, early years. It's easier than ever to feel confident that "no, we're NOT wrong," now.
I guess I've never really thought about it before, but I'm a little surprised at how close the percentages are between gay, lesbian, and trans. And I'm sure that the numbers of gays and lesbians are beefed up somewhat by gay/lesbian trans people.
If you strike me down, I’ll become gayer than you can possibly imagine.
I needed something to smile about. I noticed on the list "undecided" was not listed. I remember at a protest and someone introduced me as one of their favorite Lesbians. I was asked why I did not correct them. WHY? Because it did nt matter. Perhaps on forms I should start identifying as Queer>
LOL!!
To me there is no question that the fierce anti-LGBTQ+ attacks of the last several years are a backlash of the right wing against societal progress, and specifically an attempt to scapegoat trans people in retaliation for the nationwide legalization of gay marriage. It is no accident that the modern-day wave of attacks started after the 2015 Obergefell SCOTUS decision. Much of this has been engineered by right-wing extremist groups and think tanks.
"Yet, rather than forcing people back into the closet, these policies appear to have had the opposite effect: more Americans than ever before openly identify as LGBTQ+."
You are going on the way of occupied Hungary, where I am from. Despite ongoing, relentless anti- LGBTQ+ propaganda, more people are coming out than ever. Result: we gain far more acceptance and eat away the power of the illegal, fascist government.
I came out to myself late in 2022, the rest of the world in 2023.
It’s great to be here! 👍🏼 ✊🏼 🙌🏼
Our flowers will blossom. Our gardens will grow. We are necessary. We are needed. We are a part of the whole. Just more so!
I work with students at one of my jobs. I'm absolutely terrified of one of them finding out or realizing I'm trans, but I wish so badly that I could show specific support to those students without fear of losing my job. I hope things get better soon. I subscribed today after reading for a few weeks, I realize us trans people have to support each other through these times. You've inspired me to start writing as well. Thank you.
Bernie Sanders Suggests Political Revolution is the ONLY Way to Stop a Trump Dictatorship
https://youtu.be/5JpwyYRd7fk?si=wE1GmTzNfN4GDk7D
Nothing to lose only our chains.
Burn Baby Bern!
I'll admit, I wasn't a huge fan of Bernie Sanders in his two Presidential runs, but if he stands up to lead the way of deliverance from this nightmare, I'm there.
The authentic Left is the only force that grew up for this challenge to execute. Let us make nazis afraid again.
Good to hear from Hungary. And a reminder of how fascism is real and attractive even today.
They are completely nuts here, abolished all GAC for adults too, I had to flee. They are afraid as the system is crumbling on its own incompetence - record high inflation and economic misery they caused - so they commit every cruelty and scapegoating they can to stay in power.
Watch out and resist as hard as you can as we were the laboratory this kind of autocracy was invented in and which is being implemented now in the USA after Hungary was ruined. Trump is a personal friend of our autocrat Orban and they exchange ideas to grip power and ruin as many lives as they can.
I'm in Australia, a defence ally of the US. And not too far from China's navy ships. I hope you're safe where you are now. Care is available here for Trans people but not in all areas, and the policies of Britain and the US have some influence so I follow events.
It makes sense to me that the firestorm of political opposition we've seen would embolden more people to be open; some may know Paul Simon's song (from 1986!!)
"These are the days of miracle and wonder
This is the long distance call
The way the camera follows us in slo-mo
The way we look to us all"
But as one who has lived through several decades now, I find it remarkable that the overall value of 9.3% is statistically identical to what was quoted in academic sexology works in the 1940s and 50s as the number of "gay" people (hardly anyone else was even considered then).
I'm quite confidant the actual incidence does not change at all (as is to be expected from conditions that are innate and not a matter of choice or personality development). Perhaps there will come a day (do we have a dream? Yes, we do) when the opprobrium of society completely disappears and that actual number will be known. I'm sure I won't live to see it.
Jayna, I’m in my 70’s. I sincerely hope that we both live to see LGBTQ+ rights respected and no longer a big deal. Until recent years, we have had huge progress since the 1970’s. The pendulum swings back but with the over the top backlash against us, expect a huge explosion from us and our growing list of allies.
I sincerely hope you're right!
The summer that I perceived that I was transgender was actually before Christine Jorgensen was taken note of by the NYT 😏. (I should have a post up by the end of the day introduced with this tidbit - though that's just the intro!) The slowness of the advance of the conventional civil rights movement (= Black rights and respect) shows how long these things take. But for sure the allies are growing in number and the orcs are diminishing. In between there are still many people who can be educated. We do press on.
I have been watching Eyes On the Prize which is currently on HULU. It is so inspiring and demonstrates the long game of fighting for rights. Perseverance
"But for sure the allies are growing in number and the orcs are diminishing."
I also call them orcs. :) And yes they are diminishing.
"But as one who has lived through several decades now, I find it remarkable that the overall value of 9.3% is statistically identical to what was quoted in academic sexology works in the 1940s and 50s as the number of "gay" people (hardly anyone else was even considered then)."
Yeah, I recall in the mid-1990s hearing 10% from the LGBTQIA elders, who I presume got their info from the sources you mention. When reading the OP I was puzzled about the 9.3% being presented as a doubling from 2020.
I don't doubt the accuracy of the reporting, but it it was ~5% in 2020, I wonder what happened the 10% number from decades ago...it seem to imply that figured was determined to be wrong (high) at some point.
There's always the closeted, those in denial, and of course the methods used to gather information. It could be the current social/political climate.
And from a 1990 Paul Simon song that never fails to shake me and reduce me to tears:
"I believe in the future
We shall suffer no more
Maybe not in my lifetime
But in yours, I feel sure"
Yes, a lovely choice! (I have a video of Paul's "Concert in the Park" in 1991, as well as the Graceland Africa concert; both of them are uplifts to which I often resort!
We're seeing the same trend with LGBTQ+ identities that played out last century with left-handedness; that's been obvious for a long time now.
To everyone except Republicans, that is.
We're here, we're queer, get used to it ❤️🔥🏳️🌈❤️🔥🏳️⚧️❤️🔥
The oldest Gen Xers are about to turn 60, but we're almost always erased from trans population data. Why is this?
Cisgendered, white, middle aged woman here. I think this is great news but will this correlate with a growing number of LGBTQ+ voters? I don't know the voting data well enough to address this (maybe someone else here can?) but I can't help but think Gen Z and Millenials are fed up with the whole political system (and who could blame them) and aren't engaging in voting as much. But maybe I'm wrong about that.
That may be true (they are fed up), but the youth vote has always been low turnout. Historically, that changes as people age.
It's not only LGBTQIA+ folks. It's the allies who stand beside them more boldly than we would've thought possible years ago. At 71, I remember a lot of those awful, early years. It's easier than ever to feel confident that "no, we're NOT wrong," now.
“…more Americans are openly identifying as LGBTQ+ than ever before.”
WE ARE WINNING!
I guess I've never really thought about it before, but I'm a little surprised at how close the percentages are between gay, lesbian, and trans. And I'm sure that the numbers of gays and lesbians are beefed up somewhat by gay/lesbian trans people.
Another great article Erin! Thanks for bringing brightness and hope in the midst of the attacks on our people.