According to Gallup, Generation Z is the most LGBTQ identified generation ever, with 22.3% claiming an LGBT identity compared to just 2% of baby boomers and 7.6% of all adults. Millennials come in next at 9.8%.
When looking closer at the numbers, it’s clear that bisexual individuals make up 70% of Gen Z’s LGBT population, with women more likely than men to identify as such. This shift towards a bisexual identity among Gen Z women may be influenced by a phenomenon known as “heteropessimism” spreading on TikTok, where young women express dissatisfaction with straight relationships due to modern dating culture.
However, it’s important to note that being lesbian or bisexual doesn’t necessarily make relationships easier, as evidenced by higher divorce rates among lesbian couples compared to straight or gay male couples. Studies also show that transitioning from a straight to LGBT identity can cause psychological distress, with some individuals eventually returning to a heterosexual identity.
Instead of focusing on creating content related to their romantic lives on TikTok, perhaps young women would benefit from disconnecting from the app for a healthier mental state.
