While it is not possible to get an exact figure on the population of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, a 2015 report by the Public Religion Research Institute suggests that “7 percent of millennials identify either as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.” A January 2017 Gallup survey revealed that an estimated 4.1 percent of Americans identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, up from 3.5 percent in 2012.Īccording to a paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, even those numbers may be underestimated - as are the challenges that people in this community face. “You are not alone,” said iO Tillett Wright, a speaker whose TedxWomen talk, “Fifty Shades of Gay,” has more than 2.5 million views. Even if facing discrimination is not a concern for you, the anxiety and isolation you may feel privately can be all too real. If this is what you’re going through, take a breath and remember that there are plenty of people and resources to help and support you. Why do I feel different from the people I’m around? Those feelings can be the beginning of a journey of self-discovery that can be rewarding, but also extremely daunting. Am I gay? Everyone calls me a girl, but I don’t feel like one. Maybe the questions bubbled up over time.
