Did you know the state of Texas has more queer people than the state of New York?
Over 2 million Texans identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, making them the second-highest LGBT-identifying population in any state (next only to California). Queer populations are also often undercounted, so this number is likely even higher. Texas is a big state, and we have more than enough room to accommodate all the identities in our community. However, we have a long way to go before state policy equitably reflects the needs of queer Texans.
Texans of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and incomes believe in the freedom to thrive, to be ourselves, and to have a say in the decisions that impact our lives. To be successful, however, we need resources we can rely on. We celebrate the diversity of queer Texans while recognizing the urgent need to remove and prevent harmful policies. According to a survey by the Trevor Project, 90% of LGBTQ young people aged 13-24 say that recent politics have negatively impacted their well-being, and 45% of transgender and nonbinary youth report that they or their family have considered moving to a different state because of anti-LGBTQ politics and laws.
Our state is home to an estimated:
- 92,900 transgender adult Texans (Williams Institute)
- 735,000 gay or lesbian adult Texans (Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey Cycle 4)
- 1,267,000 bisexual adult Texans (Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey Cycle 4)
This means that at least one in every 11 Texas adults identify as LGBTQ. Another estimated 100,000+ youth (aged 13-17) identify as LGBTQ, with roughly one-third (29,800) identifying as transgender.
Today, Texas state leaders who are aligned with the wealthy few have abandoned everyday Texans. By shaming and fueling hatred toward Texas’ queer community, they deny us the freedom to thrive. Queer Texans have the same aspirations as others in our state – to live long, happy, and healthy lives. However, economic security and health indicators indicate that LGBTQ Texans are more likely to struggle for a myriad of reasons. Past and present anti-LGBTQ politics and laws drive discrimination against LGBTQ Texans, preventing them from thriving in our communities. The Movement Advancement Project tracks state-level laws related to outcomes for queer residents, and Texas ranks at the bottom. Unfortunately, we are not alone; 29% of America’s LGBTQ population live in states where laws affect them negatively – many of whom live in the South.
Tracking LGBTQ+ data is essential to understand and address the unique challenges this population faces. Accurate data collection reveals disparities in health, housing, economic security, and safety, which in turn helps policymakers create informed and inclusive policies. The U.S. Census Bureau is enhancing its data collection efforts through the Household Pulse Survey and others to incorporate Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) questions, as outlined in the Census Bureau’s SOGI Data Action Plan.
At Every Texan, we believe social justice requires robust public policy. Our mission is to strengthen public policy to expand opportunity and equity for all Texans. Comprehensive and accurate data informs our research, policy recommendations, and education of policymakers and stakeholders.
Queer Texans live across the state, not just in our major metropolitan areas. We must do more to protect their rights and livelihoods. Explore this data story to learn more about what data is available about LGBTQ+ Texans, and what disparities still exist.