Most LGBTQ+ people knew their identities before age 14, survey shows

A new survey by the Pew Research Center provides insight into how early LGBTQ+ individuals become aware of their identities. The study of LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S.A. revealed that most participants recognised their identity before turning 14, with a significant number becoming aware before age 10.

Among gay and lesbian adults, 36% reported feeling they were gay or lesbian before age 10, and 35% between ages 10 to 13. Only 29% had their first sense of sexuality after age 14, according to ‘LGBTQ Nation’.

Similar patterns were observed among trans individuals. About 33% felt they might be trans before age 10, and 25% between ages 10 to 13. Only 19% realised they were trans after age 18.

Bisexual individuals typically realised their identity later, though a majority acknowledged being queer before turning 18. Half reported their first feelings of being bisexual before age 14.

In discussions about LGBTQ+ youth, some conservatives assert that individuals cannot understand their identities until adulthood, often asserting this only for LGBTQ+ identities while endorsing heterosexuality and cisgender identities in young individuals.

These assertions contradict the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, who often spend years concealing their identities until they can safely express them as adults.

Despite contemplating their identities at a young age, most LGBTQ+ respondents delayed disclosing them. While 71% of gay and lesbian individuals recognised their sexuality before age 14, only 13% confided in someone before that age. Around 58% of trans individuals suspected they might be trans before age 14, with only 15% revealing it to someone at that time.

This contradicts the conservative narrative that young people claim a trans or gay identity for social acceptance. In truth, many young people claim to be straight or cisgender when they aren’t, likely to gain social acceptance.

Pew further analysed the data, showing that gay men often recognised their identity sooner than lesbian women, with 40% realising they were gay before age 10, compared to 29% of lesbians.

Bisexual women, conversely, tended to become aware earlier than bisexual men, with 53% identifying as potentially bi before age 14, in contrast to 40% of bisexual men.

The poll took place in January this year, surveying a sample of 3,959 LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S.A.. The study covered a range of topics, including family and friend support, connection to the wider LGBTQ+ community, and social acceptance.