In a global survey conducted in 2023, three percent of respondents declared to be homosexual, gay, or lesbian. In Brazil and the Netherlands, for instance, nine percent, instead, identified as bisexual, representing the largest group of bisexual respondents among the 30 surveyed countries. Moreover, two percent of the interviewees in Switzerland said to be pansexual or omnisexual. Pansexuality describes people who feel attracted to other people regardless of their biological sex, gender, or gender identity, whereas omnisexuality refers to people attracted to people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

This layer shows Household Pulse Survey data on gender identity and sexual orientation. Gender identity is the internal perception of gender, and how one identifies based on how one aligns or doesn’t align with cultural options for gender. This is a different concept than sex assigned at birth. Sexual orientation is the type of sexual attraction one has the capacity to feel for others, generally labeled based on the gender relationship between the person and the people they are attracted to. This is not the same as sexual behavior or preference.Learn more about how the Census Bureau survey measures sexual orientation and gender identity. This page includes nation-wide characteristics such as age, Hispanic origin and race, and educational attainment. Also read some of their findings about experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) adults experiencing higher rates of both economic hardship and mental health hardship. See the questionnaire used in phase 3.2 of the Household Pulse Survey.Source: Household Pulse Survey Data Tables. Data values in this layer are from Week 34 (July 21 - August 2, 2021), the first week that gender identity and sexual orientation questions were part of this survey. Top 15 metros are based on total population and are the same 15 metros available for all Household Pulse Data Tables.This layer is symbolized to show the percent of adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) as well as adults whose gender or sexual orientation was not listed on the survey (LGBTQIA+). The color of the symbol depicts the percentage and the size of the symbol depicts the count. *Percent calculations do not use those who did not report either their gender or sexual orientation in either the numerator or denominator, consistent with methodology used by the source.*Data Prep Steps:Data prep used Table 1 (Child Tax Credit Payment Status and Use, by Select Characteristics) to perform tabular data transformation. SAS to Table conversion tool was used to bring the tables into ArcGIS Pro.The data is joined to 2019 TIGER boundaries from the U.S. Census Bureau.Using the counties in each metro according to the Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area Reference Files, metro boundaries created via Merge and Dissolve tools in ArcGIS Pro.In preparing the field aliases and long descriptions, "none of these" and "something else" were generally modified to "not listed."

ObjectivesTo assess ecological, structural, community and individual level correlates of health services utilization along a continuum of HIV care, and sexual health and support services among gay and bisexual men worldwide.MethodsUsing a nonprobability internet sample of 6,135 gay and bisexual men, we assessed correlates of utilization of health services. Chi-Square Tests of Independence were performed to assess drop off along a continuum of HIV care. Multivariable logistic regression analyses using generalized estimating equation models were conducted adjusting for geographic region and clustering by country. In multivariable analyses, we determined the association between utilization outcomes, and ecologic, structural, community and individual correlates by fitting separate generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression models for each of the outcomes, fitted with robust SEs, and accounting for clustering by country. Stratified by sexual identity, analyses adjusted for variables that could influence HIV-related health outcomes including racial/ethnic minority status, participant age, insurance, ability to make ends meet, as well as country-level income (income of country of residence defined by the World Bank).ResultsAmong men living with HIV (n = 1001), being in HIV care (n = 867) was associated with being on ART (X2 = 191.17, p < .001), and viral load suppression (X2 = 14.03, p < .001); and using ART (n = 840) was associated viral load suppression (X2 = 21.66, p < .001). Overall, the pattern of utilization outcomes were similar for both gay and bisexual men. For example, utilization of PrEP, being in HIV care and utilization of most of the sexual health and support services were negatively associated with sexual stigma. Whereas, utilization of most HIV prevention, and sexual health and support services were positively associated with provider discrimination. Utilization of all HIV prevention and all sexual health services were positively associated with greater community engagement, and receiving services from LGBT-led organizations. Bisexual men had higher odds of reporting provider discrimination when utilizing condom services (gay: AOR = 1.14, [0.95–1.36]; bisexual: 1.58, [1.10–2.28]), PrEP (gay: AOR = 1.06, [0.77–1.45]; bisexual: AOR = 2.14, [1.18–3.89], mental health services (gay: AOR = 1.03, [0.86–1.23]; bisexual: AOR = 1.32, [1.07–1.64]), and community-based support (gay: AOR = 1.23, [1.05–1.45]; bisexual: AOR = 1.49, [1.14–1.93]) than gay men. Bisexual men also reported higher odds of accessing services from LGBT-led organizations when utilizing PrEP (gay: AOR = 5.26, [2.50–11.05]; bisexual: AOR = 7.12, [3.16–16.04]), and community-based support/self-help groups/individual counseling (gay: AOR = 2.63, [1.72–4.01]; bisexual: AOR = 3.35, [2.30–4.88].ConclusionsIt is essential that barriers to health services utilization be addressed at structural and community levels. Structural interventions should be designed to reduce sexual stigma, as well as train and sensitize healthcare providers; and strengthen community level interventions that bring gay and bisexual men together to lead comprehensive health services.

In 2023, 150 juveniles fell victim to anti-gay male hate crimes in the United States. A further 57 juveniles were victimized by anti-transgender hate crimes across the country in that year.

In Africa, 32 UN members criminalized homosexual acts in private as of mid-2023, which translated to 59 percent of all African countries. Asia, instead, counted 20 countries where homosexual activity in private was illegal.

In 2021, around 14 percent of individuals living in the District of Columbia identified as LGBT. Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon also had high rates, exceeding ten percent. Mississippi and North Dakota had the lowest rates of LGBT populations, the only states with less than five percent.

In a survey from March 2021 conducted in France, 12 percent of responding young females and eight percent of responding young males stated that they had already a homosexual relationship and enjoyed it. It may be stated that younger generations are more open about sexuality and gender, and generally 86 percent of French citizens think homosexuality is a way of life that should be accepted by society.

Younger women and sexual practices

According to France Televisions, 30 percent of young French women aged between 18 and 34 years stated that they never had a homosexual relationship but will be open to it if the opportunity arose. In comparison, only 11 percent of responding men declared the same. There were also 72 percent to mentioning that they do not wish to have a gay relationship, compared to 56 percent of women surveyed. This open-mindedness could be linked with the evolution of sexual practices among younger generations. Thus, since 1990 the proportion of women aged 20 to 24 years having already practiced oral sex increased in France. Similarly, the share of women who already practiced sodomy was also more important since 1992. The evolution of society, as well as internet, appears to have allowed women to dare to experiment more.

Being gay in France

In 2011, 31 percent of French men aged 18 to 34 years were in a relationship with a same-sex person, compared to 34 percent of women the same age. Gay marriage is legal in France since 2013 and the number of same-sex weddings reached a record number of 10,552 unions in 2014. However, LGBT people in the country still face difficulties sometimes. In 2015, more than 60 percent of French aged 18 to 24 years already came across homophobic statements online.

In 2023, approximately 91.2 percent of the population of London identified as being Heterosexual or Straight, which was the lowest among regions of the United Kingdom. As of this year, approximately 3.5 percent of Londoners identified as being Gay or Lesbian, 1.7 percent as Bisexual, 0.9 percent as Other and 2.8 percent who did not know, or refused to answer.

As of mid-2023, same-sex acts between adults were illegal in 68 members states of the United Nations. Since 1990, 45 countries had decriminalized homosexuality. In Africa, 32 countries were still banning this type of sexual relations.

In Africa, 22 countries did not criminalize homosexual acts in private in 2020, accounting for 41 percent of all African countries. These countries were: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, and South Africa.

Homosexuality is still criminalized

Worldwide, 71 countries criminalize homosexuality as of 2021. Most of them are located in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In 11 countries, the death penalty is imposed or at least a possibility for private, consensual same-sex sexual activity. As of 2020, homosexual relations were criminalized in 32 countries in Africa. In four countries, the legislation foresees even the death for homosexual acts. These countries were Nigeria, Mauritania, Sudan, and Somalia.

LGBT+ rights in South Africa

South Africa is the only African country that has legalized same-sex marriage as well as adoption for same-sex couples. It also ranks as the second most-friendly destination in Africa for LGBT+ travelers after La Réunion. In South Africa, indeed, acceptance of homosexuality s generally higher than in other African countries. Nonetheless, also other countries in Africa have introduced laws to protect people victims of discrimination and violence motivated by their sexual orientation.

In a survey conducted in February 2023, approximately 67 percent of heterosexual respondents reported being legally married. At the same time, 36 percent of homosexual and bisexual respondents were in a registered marriage.  The history of LGBTQ+ in Japan  Japan has a rich queer history. Homosexual relationships in historic Japan were for most parts of a strictly hierarchical, pederastic nature and limited to the all-male realms of monasteries and the samurai class. With the growing influence and wealth of common people in 17th century Japan, the depiction and practice of homosexuality and gender fluidity became a widely popular topic in urban culture. This changed with the arrival of Western ideology. Queerness was portrayed as either pathological or caricatural until well into the second half of the 20th century. Nowadays, Japan’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights is fairly progressive compared to other Asian regions. Due to better access to information and education on the topic, familiarity with the term LGBTQ+ and its meaning is relatively high among the Japanese population. Yet, Japan is still a far cry away from an equal society, with many LGBTQ+ individuals concerned about coming out.  Legalization of same-sex marriage in Japan Japan is the only G7 nation not fully recognizing same-sex marriages. However, a court ruling in March 2021 declared it unconstitutional to bar same-sex couples from getting legally married. While it will certainly take time until an apt law to allow same-sex marriage will be passed, having the perspective to gain equal legal rights to heterosexual couples is a major symbolic victory for the LGBTQ+ community in socially conservative Japan. In past years, some municipalities started to issue partnership certificates, but their benefits are limited, not allowing individuals to inherit their partner’s assets or granting parental rights over their children. In light of the postponed Olympic Games in Tokyo, human rights organizations and LGBTQ+ activists are pushing for an Equality Act. This comes at a similar time as the ongoing gender equality discussion, which was sparked by former Tokyo Olympics President Yoshiro Mori’s sexist remark on female participation in meetings, leading to an international media outcry on the status of women in Japanese society.

South Africa is the most LGBT+ friendly country in Africa. It is the only country in Africa where same-sex marriage and partnership are legal and couples can joint adopt children. In the span of some years, acceptance of homosexuality in South Africa increased considerably. As of 2019, 54 percent of respondents from South Africa believed that homosexuality should be accepted by the society.

Millennials are much more likely than older adults in the United States to support same-sex marriage, with 74 percent of Millennial respondents in a 2019 poll expressing a favorable opinion. This compares to 45 percent of respondents born in 1945 or earlier, and 51 percent of Baby Boomers.