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A recent study from the Cultural Currents Institute found searches related to sexual orientation and identity skyrocketed over 1300% in the last two decades according to Google Trends data. Searches for terms like “Am I gay” and “Am I trans” surged significantly between 2004 and 2023.
The data reportedly aligns with Gallup poll findings that the percentage of adults identifying as LGBTQ+ more than doubled from 2012 to over 7% currently. Younger generations also identify at higher rates, with one in five Gen Z individuals identifying as part of the community.
Interestingly, the state seeing the biggest increase was Utah, topping lists for searches of “Am I gay,” “Am I lesbian,” and “Am I trans.” Oklahoma, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky saw the highest volumes for “how to come out,” suggesting struggle for LGBTQ+ individuals living authentically in areas without protections. Meanwhile, searches of “nonbinary” increased most in progressive states like Vermont, Oregon, Maine, Montana and Washington.
Cultural Currents Institute explained:
Utah, a state with traditionally conservative social values, surprisingly tops three out of five search term categories. This might indicate a significant underlying questioning of identity among its internet users, possibly driven by the conflict between personal feelings and societal expectations. These tensions between public life and web searches are common in Utah, where we recently shared data indicating that searches for “VPN” surged after the website PornHub blocked the state. Other socially conservative states also showed evidence of tension between social attitudes and private experience.
When it came to the search “am I gay,” Utah had the highest search volumes nationally. The other top states where this question was frequently asked included Iowa, Indiana, West Virginia and New Hampshire, underscoring how questions of sexual identity have arisen all across the country in both liberal and conservative areas in recent times. See below:
AM I GAY?
Regarding the search phrase “am I gay,” the top five states are as follows:
- Utah
- Iowa
- Indiana
- West Virginia
- New Hampshire
The search term “am I lesbian” was most prominent in Utah, according to the Google Trends data analysis. Other states with notable search volumes for this query included Connecticut, Kentucky, Washington and Colorado, suggesting many women in these areas have questioned or explored their sexual orientation over the past two decades. See below:
AM I LESBIAN?
The term “am I lesbian” showed the highest popularity in:
- Utah
- Connecticut
- Kentucky
- Washington
- Colorado
Meanwhile, the search term “how to come out” possibly signifies greater difficulties for those seeking to disclose their identity, according to the analysis. Oklahoma had the highest search volumes of any state for this query. Other locations with notable amounts of these searches included West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky. This suggests individuals in these parts of the country may face especially challenging environments when it comes to openly expressing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The search term “am I trans” saw significant popularity in several states according to the Google Trends analysis. Utah had the highest search volumes overall. Other states with notable query numbers for this question included Kentucky, Colorado, Michigan and Washington, suggesting issues of gender identity and expression are on the minds of many individuals in different parts of the United States.
The search term “nonbinary” showed different geographic patterns compared to the other searches examined. There was insufficient data for Google to provide results specifically for the query “am I nonbinary?” When looking simply at searches for “nonbinary”, the top states tended to be more socially and politically progressive, namely Vermont, Oregon, Maine, Montana and Washington. This suggests discussions around nonbinary gender identities have been embraced earlier in these areas compared to other parts of the country.
Factors driving the rise likely include growing queer representation on television and in elected offices. Additionally, as the most visited search engine globally, Google inevitably reflects evolving discussions and identities within society overall. The insights demonstrate its utility for self-discovery when other resources have declined. Altogether, the data paints a picture of progress, but also ongoing challenges, for LGBTQ+ communities across America.
For more information regarding this study, read here.
I often question why I didn’t act on being gay! It wasn’t acceptable back then! But being an athlete in several sports, I know it would have been very difficult. I wouldn’t give up my family for anything, But I know that I’m gay!!!
Congratulations on your Proclamations!
When I was a teen in the 1970s, Gays were highly visible and widely unaccepted. The only ones you saw were flamboyant and feminine. I knew without a doubt that I was attracted to men, but did not fit that mold. I went “functionally Straight”, married and became a father. No regrets. With the advent of the Internet, I was able to find guys to connect with. Many with the same history as me. Not flamboyant or feminine. Several have become FWBs I meet with as often as possible. And I befriend new FWBs when the opportunity presents itself. None… Read more »
I agree with you. What is gay? I ask that because it ain’t nothing gay about me. I like sex with dudes from time to time and that’s about it. I also got married and had kids. I don’t regret it one bit. I fell in love with a sweet woman and got married.
I’m in the exact same siituation as you are in.
You and Hunter0500 would be rated as “bi-sexual” on the Kinsey scale…
Some terms used to describe sexual orientation include:
Hey Steve. Bisexual? I had sex with women because it was that or nothing. When I started having sex with men, I stopped with women. Sure, I can appreciate a beautiful woman, but nothing in my shorts gets excited.
Let’s be realistic about this “Surge” of “Gay Identities”.
The “Societal Climate” has changed and the repeatedly proclamations of “I Am Gay” have become
as numerous as Spermatozoa within a young boy’s Testicles”!
“Media Attention” does not influence the propensity for an increase of “Gay Births”; what it does do
is free those who
ordinarily would not declare such “Sexual Orientation”.
Thus,
This “Surge” is yet another, perfect example of Media Manipulation as Election Year is next year and
“The Liberals” need “The Gay Vote” to swing “To-The-Left!”
Jeez, I dunno about the political slant (strange rave of yours), but I do agree with your round about point….with Dr. Google on everyone’s phone what used to be inner dialogue is now simply a Google search.
..and, that’s a good thing.
Death, Taxes, and The Desire to get laid EXACTLY how we fantasize about it….pretty constant even before we shared our thoughts on it with everyone who DIDN’T want/need to hear it…
What I was referring to was the sudden acknowledgement of the “Gay Surge” so close to
next year.s Election Year?
We both know of the “Nefarious” tactics the Media will sometimes use to parlay attention in a
specific direction.
To answer the question, when you have my legs up and your thrusting your cock deep inside me, on each thrust I will let you know.
I am of the age when we “used” to ask a trusted friend or confident these kind of things, but of course that was before the internet. Fast forward into the modern world and straight out of what would have been science fiction during my youth, we get our trusted advice from artificial intelligence sources. Next we’ll be asking an l normal, am l a homicidal maniac? Am l a risk to society? My concerns are two folded, shouldn’t we be talking to real people for real life guidance based on real world wisdom or life experiences Vs. some cookie… Read more »
It’s not bazaar either for women ‘if’ you understand women. They look for a sexual partner- in terms of a life partner, mostly and traditionally, for future children and a good father/husband/provider figure. I’m sure, too, though, there are hetero men who feel the same way, mostly, that women feel; propagating their genetics of course. Not so much, I’ve suspected with men, especially now, with what you’ve just said. These days, it goes both ways, “women are doin’ it for themselves.” I’m think and feel, pretty much like women do in the sense of love, then. Simply because, I’d rather… Read more »
Lamar: You are a “Free Spirit” just as I am a “Free Spirit”. You always knew just as I always knew. Neither one of us ever felt the need to exclaim the reality. Neither Society nor The Media ever assert this; It always seems to be to “Tap into the Obvious” which catches the eyes and fills the ears and both can be exploited and sold to The General Public as entertainment in the disguise of pertinent news. So many of us Gays live, day-to-day, with harmony in out societies, prosper and contribute without bringing unnecessarily attention to ourselves. We… Read more »
Count me as another who feels the same way. Personally, I feel like the out and loud crowd are more of a hindrance to societal acceptance of gaydom than any kind of help. All they seem to do is reeinforce the old stereotype which is something I have never matched up with other than preferring gay sex..
Yeah, but I know the ‘idea’ of religion is the culprit; a sin- is a sin- is a sin, period, unless its murder, raping people screaming ‘NO’, animals. Like ‘us’ African Americans; when confronted, you NEVER cave, never, so, here we are in a so-called “free country” where one ‘should’ be able to fuck another consenting adult, regardless of interracial or same sex, so, when there’s pushback, we arrive at the nonsense of present. Discrimination, always by the “religious” whom at this point are associated with nazism, child abuse, not ‘God of Creator’. They should mind the business of their… Read more »
Bazaar???
Read “Fatdaddy’s” response.
Perhaps as men involve and they admit to them shelfs and others that they find men attractive, some times as sex objects or some in appearances and some in both, every man has them, but to what extent to we allow it out…. or allow one to personally think about it (m2m) and not get “Bugged Out” about it. Perhaps some bashing is from that persons that has his own feelings…….and he doesn’t like it….or perhaps doesn’t like it at first. Man to man sex, and relationship are so great, whether your strait, gay, bi, tran, etc ….or just thinking… Read more »
And what is gay…. Do I have to do the act to be gay Do I have to just think of the act to be gay If I do the act one time, does that make me gay or does it have to be 5 times for 55 times??? What happens if I look at girls and can fuck them as well. O so thats where the “BI” word comes in. Whats happens if I think of girls more but love giving a good blow job every now and then, or every week? Im more gay then bi. O hey… Read more »