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Introduction <p>Accurate sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) measurement is vital for understanding demographic diversity in the USA and better identifying health disparities, especially among youth and young adults. National health surveys have historically measured SOGI in outdated terms that fail to reflect the evolving terminology. Improved SOGI measurement that is both accurate and inclusive will enhance the identification of health disparities among LGBTQ + individuals and inform national health surveillance systems.</p> Methods <p>The sample included 15–24-year-olds from two waves (Fall 2021 and Winter 2022) of a nationally representative survey, the Truth Longitudinal Cohort (TLC). Weighted descriptive analyses were conducted for both waves. Differences in SOGI between waves and age were assessed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the chi-square test, respectively.</p> Results <p>Compared to 2021, fewer respondents identified as heterosexual in 2022, with more identifying as gay/lesbian or bisexual. A similar trend was observed in respondents’ gender identity, with less identifying as cisgender but more as transgender and nonbinary. Around 3–4% of the sample identified as non-cisgender, translating to over 1.3 million and 2.1 million youth and young adults in the USA. Significant differences in both gender identity (<i>z</i> = 94.51, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and sexual orientation (<i>z</i> =  − 2.81, <i>p</i> = 0.005) were found between two waves. Chi-square test showed significant differences in SOGI by age group, with decreased heterosexual identification and increased bisexual and transgender identification in both 18–20- and 21–24-year-olds.</p> Conclusions <p>This study highlights the importance of continuously evaluating SOGI terminology to ensure accurate and inclusive measurement among youth and young adults. The variations in reported SOGI across waves emphasize the value of regular updates to survey instruments and data collection methods.</p> Policy Implications <p>This work can help ensure best practices and guidelines when measuring SOGI in federal surveys, supporting evidence-based policy and enabling the public to make informed decisions.</p>

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Measuring Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Among a Nationally Representative Sample of US Youth and Young Adults, 2021–2022

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月22日

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  • Michael Liu,
  • Rebecca M. Goyette,
  • Elexis C. Kierstead,
  • Daniel Costello,
  • Alexander P. D’Esterre,
  • Elizabeth C. Hair

摘要

Introduction

Accurate sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) measurement is vital for understanding demographic diversity in the USA and better identifying health disparities, especially among youth and young adults. National health surveys have historically measured SOGI in outdated terms that fail to reflect the evolving terminology. Improved SOGI measurement that is both accurate and inclusive will enhance the identification of health disparities among LGBTQ + individuals and inform national health surveillance systems.

Methods

The sample included 15–24-year-olds from two waves (Fall 2021 and Winter 2022) of a nationally representative survey, the Truth Longitudinal Cohort (TLC). Weighted descriptive analyses were conducted for both waves. Differences in SOGI between waves and age were assessed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the chi-square test, respectively.

Results

Compared to 2021, fewer respondents identified as heterosexual in 2022, with more identifying as gay/lesbian or bisexual. A similar trend was observed in respondents’ gender identity, with less identifying as cisgender but more as transgender and nonbinary. Around 3–4% of the sample identified as non-cisgender, translating to over 1.3 million and 2.1 million youth and young adults in the USA. Significant differences in both gender identity (z = 94.51, p < 0.001) and sexual orientation (z =  − 2.81, p = 0.005) were found between two waves. Chi-square test showed significant differences in SOGI by age group, with decreased heterosexual identification and increased bisexual and transgender identification in both 18–20- and 21–24-year-olds.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of continuously evaluating SOGI terminology to ensure accurate and inclusive measurement among youth and young adults. The variations in reported SOGI across waves emphasize the value of regular updates to survey instruments and data collection methods.

Policy Implications

This work can help ensure best practices and guidelines when measuring SOGI in federal surveys, supporting evidence-based policy and enabling the public to make informed decisions.