“Trans ID in Free Fall”: After Decade-Long Surge, Far Fewer Teens Identify as Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual
18th October 2026
Based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, psychologist and researcher Jean Twenge found that “the decline appears to be driven almost entirely by girls.”
Girls identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual dropped 5 percentage points, hitting 22 percent last year. Among boys, that percentage fell by 2 percentage points to 7 percent.
“The trends are striking,” especially compared to data from a decade ago, Twenge, a professor at San Diego State University, wrote on her blog in late September.
Reasons for the decline in teen in lesbian, gay, or bisexual identification are not readily apparent. “I have to confess: I have no idea,” Twenge wrote.
Determining whether the numbers reflect the start of a trend requires further examination, she and other professionals say.
Competing explanations for the shift are emerging amid a larger debate over alternative sexuality in America.