There is an age gap among bisexuals, however, with bisexuals under the age of 45 much more likely than those ages 45 or older to say most of the important people in their life know that they are bisexual (32% and 18%, respectively). Similar shares of young, middle-aged and older LGBT adults say most of the important people in their life are aware of their sexual orientation or gender identity. There are no significant differences across age groups. Furthermore, 65% of bisexual men say that only a few or none of the important people in their life know they are bisexual.Īmong all LGBT adults, those with a college degree are more likely than those who have not graduated from college to say all or most of the important people in their life know they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (64% vs. Similarly, while one-third of bisexual women say most of the important people in their life know they are bisexual, only 12% of bisexual men say the same. Roughly nine-in-ten bisexual women (88%) say they have told a close friend about their sexual orientation only 55% of bisexual men say they have told a close friend. And they are much more likely to say that most of the people who are important to them know about this aspect of their life: 77% of gay men and 71% of lesbians say all or most people know, compared with 28% of bisexuals.Īmong bisexuals, there are large differences between men and women in the share who say the people closest to them know that they are bisexual. Lesbians and gay men are more likely than bisexuals to have told at least one close friend about their sexual orientation (96% of gay men and 94% of lesbians, compared with 79% of bisexuals). There are large differences here across LGB groups. And some 54% say all or most of the important people in their life know that they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The vast majority of LGBT respondents (86%) say they have told one or more close friends about their sexual orientation or gender identity. How Many of the Important People in Your Life Know? Survey respondents were invited to elaborate on their experiences, and many of their stories are captured in an interactive feature on the Pew Research Center website.Įxplore some 300 quotes from LGBT survey respondents about their coming out experiences.
Ultimately, these journeys are personal and hard to quantify. Still, about half say only a few or none of their co-workers know about their sexual orientation or gender identity. A majority of employed LGBT adults say their workplaces are accepting of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Some seek out neighborhoods that are predominantly LGBT, but most do not. This section also explores the interactions LGBT adults have outside of their circles of family and close friends-in their communities and workplaces. This section looks at the process of coming out-when and how it happens, how difficult it is, and what impact it has on relationships.
#We know your gay meme series
For lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people, realizing their sexual orientation or gender identity and sharing that information with family and friends is often a gradual process that can unfold over a series of years.