Global study reveals Gen Z women increasingly identify as bisexual, while lesbian label continues to be embraced

A new study sheds light on the evolving landscape of sexual identity among queer women, revealing a notable shift within Generation Z. The research indicates that while the lesbian label remains a vital identifier, Gen Z women, aged 20 to 29, are now more frequently identifying as bisexual, underscoring a dynamic and increasingly fluid understanding of sexuality.

Drawing from a substantial dataset of over 913,000 international users of the queer women’s and nonbinary dating application Zoe, the study, published in Demographic Research and reported by Advocate, offers a comprehensive overview of self-identification. Among users identifying as female (71.1% of the total sample), 48.3% identified as lesbian, 39.8% as bisexual, 6.6% as pansexual, 3.4% as queer, 1.2% as gay, and 0.7% as asexual.

When focusing specifically on Generation Z users, born between 1997 and 2006, the findings highlight a significant trend: 45 percent of those aged 20 to 29 embraced the bisexual label, slightly surpassing the 42.2 percent who identified as lesbian. The study also observed that the adoption of the "queer" identity decreased with age, while older users showed a greater propensity to identify as gay, illustrating a vibrant generational distinction in how individuals conceptualize their sexual orientations.

Commenting on these profound insights, Francesco Rampazzo, lead author and Lecturer in Social Statistics at the University of Manchester, stated, "Younger generations are unequivocally demonstrating that sexuality is not a fixed category; it is a spectrum. Across the globe, more young people are comfortably articulating their identities in diverse and fluid ways, reflecting a broader societal acceptance and self-awareness."

These findings are corroborated by broader trends observed in other recent surveys. A 2024 Gallup poll, for instance, reported that among the 9.3 percent of U.S. adults identifying as LGBTQ+, 56 percent identified as bisexual, 21 percent as gay, 15 percent as lesbian, 14 percent as transgender, and 6 percent as "something else." It is noteworthy that respondents could select multiple identities, leading to a sum exceeding 100 percent.

Further reinforcing this generational shift, a 2023 poll by Business Insider and YouGov indicated that Gen Z individuals are more inclined to identify as "queer" rather than adhering to more specific labels. This generation also exhibits a higher likelihood of embracing the bisexual label, with 13 percent of Gen Z identifying as bisexual, significantly surpassing Millennials (7 percent), Gen X (4 percent), and Boomers (1 percent), suggesting a preference for identities that transcend "binary terms that suggest they like only one type of person."

This report stands out as one of the inaugural studies to examine sexual identity on a truly global scale, incorporating user data from over 122 countries spanning every continent except Antarctica. Crucially, the researchers commendably excluded data from nations where same-sex sexual relations are criminalized, prioritizing the safety and well-being of users in those regions.

Rampazzo concluded, "Our study serves as a powerful reminder that technology is not merely transforming how individuals connect; it is profoundly reshaping our collective understanding of ourselves and each other." This research provides invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of sexual identity, reinforcing the importance of inclusive frameworks and celebrating the rich diversity within the LGBTQ+ community.