Now we know what all the hysteria is about in all those campaign ads. According to a new study by the Human Rights Campaign, there are a lot more LGBTQ+ Texans than we ever suspected. In fact, Texas has one of the largest LGBTQ+ populations in the country.
The report finds 12 percent of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+, which breaks down to 3 percent lesbian or gay, 7 percent bisexual and 2 percent transgender, non-binary or gender queer.
But in Texas, 12.54 percent identify as LGBTQ+. That translates to 2,243,590 people. Still, Texas ranks second among all states in the size of our LGBTQ+ population after California.
HRC drew its information from 2.4 million responses to a U.S. Census Bureau survey collecting information on Americans’ sexuality and gender identity that was taken 2021-24.
Most of Texas’ LGBTQ+ population can be found in the largest cities and surrounding suburbs. And among cities, the DFW area wins as well with 13 percent or 632,947 identifying as LGBTQ+. Houston is second with just over 12 percent or 565,912 people.
— David Taffet