Almost one in ten adults in the world and Romania identify as LGBT+
On average, the identification of the adult population as LGBT+ is 9% both globally and in Romania, according to an Ipsos survey covering 30 countries.
In countries included in the study, 3% of adults identify as lesbian or gay, 4% as bisexual, 1% as pansexual or omnisexual, and 1% as asexual, on average. In Romania, the situation is relatively similar to the global and European one, with some exceptions: only 1% identify as lesbian or gay (compared to 3% both globally and in Europe), and very few (0.1%) identify as asexual.
The percentage of adults identifying as LGBT+ varies significantly depending on the generation they belong to and also by geographical area: from 18% (global average) among Generation Z to 4% among Baby Boomers, and from 15% in Brazil to 4% in Peru.
Globally, members of Generation Z, namely those up to 26 years old, are more inclined to identify as gay, bisexual, pansexual/omnisexual, asexual, or transgender/non-binary: twice as much as Millennials (ages 27 to 42), three times as much as Generation X (ages 43 to 58), and four times as much as Baby Boomers (ages 59 and above). Roughly the same differences between generations can be found in Romania too.
The visibility of LGBT+ people is significantly lower in Romania compared to the global average, regardless of the discussed segment. Having a gay/lesbian or bisexual friend is more commonly mentioned in Latin America, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Gender diversity is more visible throughout the Anglophone world, Brazil, and especially in Thailand. On the other hand, the lowest visibility of the LGBT+ community and its different segments is recorded in Romania, along with Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Hungary, and Poland.
In line with the level of identification, more young people know at least one person who identifies as LGBT+ compared to older adults. The generational differences become even more pronounced globally when it comes to knowing someone who is bisexual, non-binary, gender non-conforming, or has a fluctuating gender identity (gender fluid): in both cases, Generation Z is three times more likely to know such a person than the Baby Boomer generation.
Romania is no exception to this trend, but an even greater difference can be observed regarding the visibility of bisexual individuals: Generation Z is six times more likely to know someone in this category compared to the Baby Boomer generation, and three times more likely to know someone who is gay, lesbian, or homosexual.
The majority of those interviewed support same-sex marriages and the right of same-sex couples to raise children in most countries, although not in all. Romania ranks near the bottom in terms of support for same-sex marriage, second to last, and only ahead of Turkey.
On average, across the 30 countries included in the study, 56% of respondents believe that same-sex marriages should be legalized, while 16% believe that these couples should receive legal recognition but not the right to marry. 14% believe that no form of legal recognition should be granted, while another 14% have not formed a clear opinion. The perspective on same-sex couples raising children is more favorable than support for marriage.
Romania is among the few countries where the proportion of those who disagree (33%) is higher than those who support same-sex marriage (25%). At the same time, 45% of Romanians believe that a same-sex couple should have the same adoption rights as a heterosexual couple, and 44% believe that they have an equal chance as other parents to successfully raise a child.
The majority of respondents (67% globally, 64% in Europe, and 59% in Romania) agree that transgender individuals face a wave of discrimination, compared to 19% who mention that they do not face any or face it at a low level.
Only one in three Romanians supports health insurance systems covering the costs of gender transition.
(Photo source: Serezniy | Dreamstime.com)
