Emerging Adults: Sexual Orientation, Identity & Health
As more 18–29-year-olds embrace diverse sexual orientations, new research spotlights fluid identities, rising LGBTQ+ rates among youth, and the public health effects of stigma and policy.
By Sexologist
In recent years the share of Americans identifying as LGBTQ+ has surged, driven mostly by young people. In 2024, a Gallup survey found that 7.6% of U.S. adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer – roughly 1 in 10 – up from 3.5% in 2012. Crucially, young adults are fueling this trend: over 20% of Gen Z (aged 18–26) now self-identify as LGBTQ+. Notably, young women far outpace men in this shift (Gallup reports 28.5% of Gen Z women identify as LGBTQ+ vs 10.6% of Gen Z men). A March 2025 analysis notes that the explosion in LGBTQ+ identity “is primarily occurring among young adults, particularly young women,” with bisexual identification quadrupling among women. Experts credit a mix of factors – greater social acceptance, viral social media communities, and evolving cultural norms – for this rapid change.
Sexual Orientation: A Multi-Dimensional Spectrum
Sexual orientation and identity are best understood as multidimensional, not just three fixed boxes. Scholars define sexual orientation in terms of attraction, behavior, and identity – for example, who one is drawn to emotionally, physically, or romantically, and how one labels those patterns. In other words, sexual orientation involves a person’s cognitive and emotional understandings about their desires and relationships. Early models (Kinsey’s 0–6 scale, Storms’ two-dimensional model) already moved beyond “gay vs. straight,” and today’s research emphasizes continua and multiple dimensions (allowing any mix of same-sex and other-sex attractions over time).
Importantly, a person’s identity label (straight, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer, etc.) doesn’t always match their attractions or behaviors. Studies find widespread nonexclusivity: many self-identified straight people have at least some same-sex feelings. For example, one college study found 84% of straight-identifying women and 51% of straight men reported at least some same-sex attraction, fantasy or behavior. This “gray area” pattern is especially common in young women. In bisexual-identified groups, the majority were involved in opposite-sex relationships: a Pew survey showed 88% of partnered bisexual adults were with opposite-gender partners【50†】. By contrast, only 6% of partnered lesbians/gay men were with opposite-sex partners in that survey. This mismatch shows how a bisexual identity often spans different contexts, and why labels like “bisexual” require a broader understanding than just current partners.
Identity Development in the 20s
Emerging adulthood (roughly ages 18–29) is a key time for sexual identity work. By late teens most people have noticed their sexual attractions, but many young adults continue to explore and solidify their identities in college and beyond. In older cohorts, milestones like first crush, self-labeling, and “coming out” often happened in late adolescence. Today research suggests those milestones are happening earlier and faster for many youths, partly because of liberalized attitudes (famous theorist Arnett noted that this age is defined by identity exploration and instability). Nevertheless, emerging adulthood remains a “rich setting” for identity formation: new freedoms (college life, online communities) let young people experiment with labels, partners, and coming-out timing in ways they couldn’t as teenagers.
For sexual-minority youth, even casual sexual experiences can guide identity. One 2022 study of LGBT emerging adults found that hookups – common in college – often helped them “better understand their sexual identity”. Some participants said brief same-sex encounters revealed things about their preferences, or connected them to the LGBTQ community. In other words, exploring sexuality experimentally can be a positive developmental pathway, not only a risk factor. (Sexual and gender minority emerging adults who feel sure of their orientation report higher well-being.)
Still, the journey varies widely. Some emerging adults enter college already “out” and secure in a gay or bi identity. Others only begin questioning in their 20s. Research identifies multiple trajectories. A large study of U.S. youth (ages 12–25) followed for six years found that changes in self-identified orientation were generally uncommon. Most people kept a stable label; however, women and bisexuals showed more shifts. In practice, when people did shift, it was usually a small move to a neighboring category: for example, going from “straight” to “mostly straight,” or “lesbian” to “bisexual.” One review concludes that in emerging adulthood the most frequent changes are “moving away from an exclusive heterosexual or homosexual identity toward a bisexual or intermediary identity label”. These tweaks often reflect deepening self-knowledge rather than confusion – and they tend to moderate over time.
Labels and Flexibility
Young people today often resist rigid labels. Studies find that a significant minority of adolescents and 20-somethings opt for nontraditional terms. In one survey of California high-schoolers, 30% of non-heterosexual teens did not pick straight/gay/bi: instead 13% chose “Questioning,” 5% “Queer,” and another 10% wrote in a more fluid label. In college samples, identity categories like “mostly heterosexual” have emerged as very popular. For instance, many young women who say they are “mostly straight” have more same-sex attraction than purely straight women, but less than fully bisexual peers. When given multiple options, adolescent and young adult respondents frequently pick intermediate labels. Researchers note that this suggests the classic two- or three-label system “does not fully resonate” with contemporary youth.
The growing use of labels like pansexual, queer, or questioning also reflects intersection with gender and cultural shifts. In surveys of gender-diverse youth, researchers report that “transgender” and “genderqueer” are common gender identities, while pansexual and queer are now among the most common sexual orientation labels. In short, today’s emerging adults often view sexual identity on a spectrum, and many feel empowered to invent or choose labels that reflect their unique mix of attractions. (Where clarity is needed, many will describe patterns in terms of attraction or behavior rather than fixed identity – for example, “I mostly date guys, but I am open.”)
Intersectionality: Gender, Race and Religion
Sexual orientation development doesn’t happen in isolation. Young adults also negotiate gender identity, race/ethnicity, religion, and other identities that can either support or conflict with their sexuality. For example, gender norms can intensify the experience for gay and bisexual men. One study found sexual-minority college men reported more distress than straight men when questioning traditional male roles – possibly because gay/bi men are already confronting stereotypes of masculinity. At the same time, many transgender and nonbinary youth report feeling most comfortable using labels like pansexual or queer, indicating a fusion of gender fluidity with sexual fluidity. Research underscores that exploring one domain often begets exploration in another: awareness of one’s gender identity can prompt rethinking of sexual identity, and vice versa.
Race and culture also shape the experience. Studies of Black, Latino and Asian American LGBTQ youth generally find that ethnic and sexual identity trajectories run in parallel – but the two identities compete for centrality in stressful contexts. Some young people of color say they prioritize their racial or cultural identity if they fear rejection on the basis of sexuality, or vice versa. For example, a teen might stay closeted or delay coming out because being gay might bring more stigma in their family or community. On the other hand, ethnic communities can also provide resilience: strong cultural pride sometimes bolsters self-esteem even in the face of homophobia.
Religion is another major intersecting force. Many LGBTQ young people are religious, and must reconcile faith with sexuality. Recent research suggests many find ways to do both. In one study of gay/bisexual emerging adult men, participants kept a positive religious identity by “reframing or rejecting” anti-gay teachings – for instance, emphasizing interpretations of faith that celebrate love and compassion. Others seek out progressive spiritual communities or ministries that explicitly welcome LGBTQ members. These strategies, often called “identity configurations,” help young adults retain both their faith and their queer identity.
Health and Well-being Implications
The transformations in identity labels and coming-out experiences carry direct public health implications. Despite growing acceptance, stigma and discrimination remain serious issues for young LGBTQ people. A landmark 2024 Lancet Public Health review of 98 studies concludes that hostile laws and cultures – called “structural stigma” – consistently “increase risk of poor health” for LGBTQ individuals. In practice, this means hate crimes, bullying or even state laws can lead to worse mental and physical health. Indeed, data show alarming disparities. In Colorado, a 2023 health survey found that 54% of LGBTQ+ adults reported poor mental health (≥8 bad days in a month), compared to just 28% of straight peers. National analyses echo this: a recent JAMA Network study of 269,000 Americans found that sexual and gender minorities had significantly higher odds of common mental illnesses (depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc.) compared to cisgender heterosexuals.
Young LGBTQ adults also report the direct psychological toll of policy debates. The Trevor Project’s 2023 survey of 28,000 youth found that nearly one-third of LGBTQ young people say their mental health has suffered due to anti-LGBT laws and discourse. Alarmingly, LGBTQ teens who face victimization (harassment, assault or conversion therapy) attempt suicide at more than twice the rate of their non-victimized peers. Conversely, laws protecting LGBTQ youth (like bans on conversion therapy) were found to improve mental well-being in the survey. These findings underline that societal and political climates are very real determinants of health.
The policy landscape remains polarized. Health policy trackers note a “rapid increase” in state laws targeting LGBTQ health, especially for youth. Many states have enacted bans on gender-affirming care or imposed restrictive sex education. On the federal level, debates about nondiscrimination rules and healthcare coverage continue. Public health experts warn that in emerging adulthood – a time when young people are legally adults but still establishing independence – these policies can erect barriers to care and support. For example, restrictive legislation may discourage LGBTQ college students from seeking mental health services out of fear of stigma or rejection.
In summary, as one review notes, what unifies emerging adult sexuality is “complexity, variation, and flexibility”. Public health must adapt to these realities. Providers and educators are urged to recognize fluid identities (for instance, by asking about attractions and behaviors, not assuming fixed labels) and to build inclusive programs. Anti-bullying initiatives, LGBTQ-competent counseling, and easily accessible support networks are more crucial than ever. At the societal level, combating stigma – through protective laws, affirmative public messaging, and family education – remains a top priority. Researchers and advocates emphasize that supporting young adults through this dynamic period of identity means safeguarding their mental and physical health as well.
