Studies show that Generation Z is more likely to identify as queer than Republican.
Gen Z consists of 18-to-26-year-olds born between 1997 and 2012. This generation holds an ethnically and racially diverse range of Americans and a highly concentrated queer and progressive population. They deemphasize the need for specific labels, with an increase in people identifying under the umbrella term “queer” as opposed to those terms.
Gen Z often finds connection through social media, which could allow for a wider political view and easy access to queer role models or information. Fifty-two percent of Gen Z adults say engaging in social media is somewhere important for creating connections, compared to 32% of the general population. The increase in queer identities and the decrease in Republican ideals are encouraged by social media, as information is readily available to those who question their sexuality or are curious about politics. Seventyfive percent of the main social media platforms had more Democrat than Republican users, leading many Gen Zers with social media as their primary source of news to lean Democratic.
Factors such as the rise of social media have lessened the amount Gen-Z Republicans. Twenty-one percent of millennials and Gen Z identify as Republican, while 28% of Gen Xers and 32% of baby boomers affiliate with the Republican party.
This decrease in Republican identification simultaneously occurs at the same time as the increase in LGBTQ+ identities. This access to queer role models on social media as well as society becoming more accepting has led to an increase in Gen Zers identifying as LGBTQ+. Twenty-eight percent of Gen-Z adults identify as LGBTQ+, while 16% of millennials and 7% of Gen X identify with the community.
This shift in political and sexual identity goes hand in hand, as Democratic ideals generally value LGBTQ+ rights more than Republicans. Gen Z is more likely to be queer (28%) than Republican (21%), leading to a more diverse and accepting society.
