In 2022, around 3.2 percent of lesbian couple householders in the United States were of Asian origin. Furthermore, about 70.2 percent of lesbian couple householders were white in that same year.

In 2022, around 8.2 percent of same-sex couple householders in the United States were Black or African American. In that same year, about 71.1 percent of same-sex couple householders were white.

In 2022, about 72 percent of male-male couples in the United States were White, compared to 6.4 percent of gay couples who were Black or African American.

Gay marriage in the United States

In the mid-1990s, a majority of the U.S. population believed that same-sex couples should not be recognized by law, although this figure has been on the decline since then. In 2011, more than 50 percent of Americans believed the opposite, saying that homosexual couples should be recognized by law. 2015 saw a spike in support, and on June 26 of that year, the United States Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges.

Being LGBT in America

The share of Americans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) has been on the rise since 2012 and it is estimated that there are about one million same-sex couples in the U.S. Additionally, about half of surveyed people in 2019 believe that one is born gay or lesbian – a significant increase from 1977, when only 13 percent of respondents said the same.

NOTE: For information on confidentiality protection, nonsampling error, and definitions, see https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/rdo/technical-documentation/CD115_TechnicalDocumentation.pdf..Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census..NOTE: "Families" consist of a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state issuing marriage certificates for same-sex couples. Same-sex couples are included in the families category if there is at least one additional person related to the householder by birth or adoption. Responses of "same-sex spouse" were edited during processing to "unmarried partner."

In 2023, 7.6 percent of adults surveyed in the United States stated they identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). This is an increase from 2012, when 3.5 percent of surveyed adults identified as LGBT. These four categories are among the most common sexual orientations and gender identities outside cis-heterosexuals.

Differences across ages and genders 

Zooming in, it is possible to see how the share of people identifying as LGBT changed considerably according to different demographics. Only two percent of Baby Boomers, indeed, reported being part of the LGBT community. On the other hand, among Generation Z individuals, this share reached almost 16 percent. Moreover, surveys suggest that women were more likely to identify as LGBT than men.

An ever-understanding society 

The fact that an increasing amount of people feel free and safe to openly identify as LGBT might be a consequence of the improved acceptance of the different sexual orientations and genders by the American people at large. While in 2001 more than half of U.S. citizens considered homosexual relationships to be morally wrong, 20 years later this percentage dropped to 30 percent. Support for same-sex marriage has also been consistently increasing, even among traditionally conservative political groups. Despite this, it is important to remember that every year hundreds of people are still victims of hate crimes in the United States simply because of their gender or sexual orientation.

NOTE: For information on confidentiality protection, nonsampling error, and definitions, see http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/doc/sf1.pdf..Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census..NOTE: A household that has at least one member of the household related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption is a "Family household." All persons living in family households are included in this total regardless of their relationship to the householder. Same-sex couple households are included in the family households category if there is at least one additional person related to the householder by birth or adoption. Same-sex couple households with no relatives of the householder present are tabulated in nonfamily households. "Nonfamily households" consist of people living alone and households which do not have any members related to the householder. "Spouse" represents spouse of the householder. It does not reflect all spouses in a household. Responses of "same-sex spouse" were edited during processing to "unmarried partner." Nonrelatives include any household member not related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes unmarried partners.

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.

NOTE: For information on confidentiality protection, nonsampling error, and definitions, see https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/rdo/technical-documentation/CD116_TechnicalDocumentation.pdf..Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census..NOTE: A household that has at least one member of the household related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption is a "Family household." All persons living in family households are included in this total regardless of their relationship to the householder. Same-sex couple households are included in the family households category if there is at least one additional person related to the householder by birth or adoption. Same-sex couple households with no relatives of the householder present are tabulated in nonfamily households. "Nonfamily households" consist of people living alone and households which do not have any members related to the householder. "Spouse" represents spouse of the householder. It does not reflect all spouses in a household. Responses of "same-sex spouse" were edited during processing to "unmarried partner." Nonrelatives include any household member not related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes unmarried partners.