How Do You Measure the LGBT Population in the U.S.?

Until recently, researchers have struggled to answer what should be a simple question: How many Americans are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT)? …

Since 2012, Gallup research has shown that the proportion of U.S. adults identifying as LGBT has increased from 3.5% in 2012 to 4.5% in 2017. The overall uptick is related to an increase in young people who identify as LGBT. Gallup asks, “Do you personally identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender?” People who answer yes are classified as LGBT.

But the matter of how to best inquire about sexual orientation and gender identity is far from settled. CONT.

Ilan H. Meyer (UCLA), Gallup