Generation Z is ten times more likely to identify as gay or bisexual than Boomers, according to ONS data.
A 2023 survey that looked into the sexual orientation of people in the UK found that younger people are generally more open to redefining what sexuality means for them.
It comes as more acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community emerges amid massive legislative wins around the world around same-sex marriage.
While 93.6% of people over 16 surveyed identified themselves as heterosexual, the report found that younger people were more likely to identify themselves as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
The report found that 10.4% of people between the ages of 16 and 24 identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual, while just 0.9% of people over 65 did so.
According to the ONS research, this is likely attributed to people being more open to identifying themselves as lesbian, gay or bisexual amid shifting societal perspectives.
“The increase in LGB responses may be attributed to more people being more open to identifying their own sexual orientation as being LGB, together with changing societal attitudes meaning a greater acceptance of different sexual orientations,” the report said.
The report also revealed that London had the highest amount of people identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual, whereas Northern Ireland recorded some of the lowest figures.
Growing visibility for the LGBTQ+ community, including annual Pride events and more legislation to protect LGBTQ+ rights, has helped dispel negative perceptions and create more acceptance over the years.
Discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation is illegal in the UK, and marriage for same-sex couples in England was legalised more than a decade ago.
A question about sexual orientation on the national census was only added as recently as 2021.
Although a British Social Attitudes report claims that there’s been a “dramatic liberalisation in attitudes to a wide range of social and moral issues” over the last four decades, challenges remain.
There has been a 112% increase in hate crime against the LGBTQ+ community over the last five years, and charities continue to work tirelessly to support and educate the community.
