Respondents were also asked to assess the level of social acceptance for specific LGBT groups: gay men, lesbians, bisexual men, bisexual women and transgender people. Only 16% of those under age 45 say the same. Among those ages 45 and older, 23% say there is a lot of acceptance for the LGBT population these days. In addition, middle-aged and older LGBT adults give a slightly more upbeat assessment of where things stand today. Roughly three-in-ten bisexuals (28%) say there is only a little or no acceptance of the LGBT population, compared with 15% of gay men and 16% of lesbians. Perceptions are fairly consistent across specific groups, although bisexuals have a somewhat more negative view of the current level of social acceptance. Just 1% say there is no acceptance at all. About one-in-five (19%) say there is a lot of acceptance for the LGBT population, 59% say there is some acceptance, and 21% say there is only a little. On this particular measure, the verdict is mixed. LGBT respondents were asked, overall, how much social acceptance there is of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in this country today. This section will look in depth at how LGBT adults view various American institutions (including the two political parties), how they perceive and experience discrimination, and how levels of social acceptance differ across groups of LGBT adults (gay men, lesbians, bisexual men and bisexual women). LGBT adults’ perceptions of how society has evolved differ by age and sexual orientation, as do their personal experiences with discrimination. Similar-sized majorities say well-known public figures-both LGBT (67%) and non-LGBT (66%)-have helped change societal views. A large majority (70%) says individuals simply knowing someone who is LGBT has helped a lot in terms of making society as a whole more accepting. In the eyes of LGBT adults, greater social acceptance has come as a result of more Americans knowing someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender as well as the efforts of high-profile public figures. And significant shares of LGBT adults report having been treated unfairly because of their sexual orientation or gender identity-through experiences ranging from poor service in restaurants and hotels to threats and physical attacks. They have also given rise to a nearly universal sense of optimism about what lies ahead for this community.Īt the same time, only about one-in-five LGBT adults (19%) say there is “a lot” of social acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in this country today, and 53% say there is a lot of discrimination against these groups. These changing attitudes have meant that LGBT adults feel more accepted by society now than in the past. Send us feedback.Americans’ attitudes about gays and lesbians have changed dramatically over the past decade or so, and the LGBT adults are acutely aware of this. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Apr. 2022 Nick doesn’t understand his initial attraction to Charlie, who came out as gay the previous year at school.
2022 Does that make this the first time that a celebrity has ever come out as not gay?īrendan Morrow, The Week, 26 Apr. 2022 Lissette has a gay best friend Peter, played by Christopher Wayland, and much of the play probes their friendship, as continually stressed by Lissette’s diagnosis.Ĭhris Jones, Chicago Tribune, Black had come out as gay by then and was trying to make it as a young screenwriter. 2022 On Thursday, Apple CEO Tim Cook, who came out as gay in 2014, took to Twitter to voice his support for the LGBTQ community and denounce the recent proposals.Īndrew Marquardt, Fortune, 11 Mar. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, The state passed a bill, seen by many as anti- gay, to expand individuals’ and business’ rights to deny services to those whose way of life conflicts with their religious beliefs. Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The previous Bridgerton showrunner, Chris Van Dusen, previously said the flirtation between Benedict and Sir Henry Granville in season one was not meant to imply Benedict was gay, or bisexual.Įmily Burack, Town & Country, And her 15-year-old protagonist, Charlie, was openly gay, which meant the plot didn’t begin with the character agonizing over his sexuality.