A new Gallup survey reveals that LGBTQ individuals are coming out at younger ages, reflecting greater societal acceptance over the past decade. Among LGBTQ adults, 71% reported sharing their identity before turning 30, with 57% doing so before 22. The median age for coming out among those aged 18 to 29 is 17. The survey also highlights that most respondents realized their LGBTQ identity during adolescence, with 48% knowing by age 14 and 72% by 18. Despite these positive trends, 18% of respondents had not come out to anyone, and a small number reported coming out later in life. Changing attitudes toward LGBTQ people are evident, with a June Gallup poll showing that 69% of Americans support same-sex marriage and 64% find gay and lesbian relationships morally acceptable. Moreover, 70% of respondents in the survey felt that social acceptance and treatment of LGBTQ people has either ‘gotten a lot’ or ‘gotten a little’ better over the past decade. However, about 25% of LGBTQ adults reported experiencing poor treatment or harassment “frequently” or “occasionally” in the past year due to their sexual orientation. This progress contrasts with a troubling backdrop where the country saw over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills getting introduced in state legislatures, and the latest FBI crime report highlighted a significant increase in reported LGBTQ hate crimes.
