Nearly 17 percent of Generation Z young adults surveyed in a Gallup study say they identify as something “other than heterosexual.”
According to the survey released in February, the number of people who identify as other than heterosexual is higher for Generation Z than other generations. As compared, about 9 percent of millennials and almost 4 percent of Generation X said they identify as something other than heterosexual.
“Young people today have grown up with a nearly ubiquitous exposure to LGBTQ narrative about identity and relationships in schools, the media, social media, Netflix and many other avenues,” said Sean McDowell, author of Chasing Love. “It’s also personal to them because virtually every young Christian today knows someone who identifies as LGBTQ.”
The poll also showed that only 5.6 percent of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ even though the average American believes the LGBTQ population of the U.S. is about 24 percent.
“While small in percentage, the LGBTQ community is loud in terms of voice,” says Ben Trueblood, Director of Student Ministry at Lifeway. “With middle and high school age kids in my own home, I know it is a topic seen and discussed within Gen Z.”
Of the 5.6 percent of adults who say they are LGBTQ, 0.7 percent identify as lesbian, 1.4 percent as gay, 3.1 percent as bisexual, 0.6 percent as transgender and 0.2 percent other.
“Young Christians today are far more influenced by cultural ideas about identity and sex than many pastors realize,” McDowell said. “Don’t assume kids know what the Bible teaches about sex and identity or why it says it. Most Christian students have little depth in regard to their theology of sexuality.”
Also, of those who identify as LGBTQ, 41 percent say they are also Christians.
“Students need to know what the Bible says on this issue while also understanding the Bible’s clear teaching that Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it,” Trueblood said. “Yes, we must speak the truth and stand on the truth, but our condemnation of a lost person’s lifestyle doesn’t do anything to bring them closer to Christ.”
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Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.