LGB+ Identity on the Rise Across Australia
New research reveals that the number of Australians identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual has doubled, signaling what experts suggest could be a modern-day sexual revolution comparable to the 60s and 70s.
Legal and Cultural Shifts Drive Visibility
The study, spearheaded by Charles Darwin University researchers Fiona Shalley and Adjunct Associate Professor Thomas Wilson, found that Australia’s LGB+ population rose from 3.3% of adults over 15 in 2012 to 5.8% in 2020.
According to Shalley, this shift reflects a “burst of acceptance” in Australia’s society, particularly following the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2017. The trend appears to mirror the significant changes in social attitudes and behaviors seen during the 60s and 70s.
Representation and Storytelling Empower Change
“Australia’s LGB+ demographic is a relatively hidden population group,” Shalley remarked. “We still don’t know enough about them to understand how the population will grow in the future – but we are certainly noticing them now.”
The increase in positive role models, attention from social media, and inclusion in storytelling has bolstered the confidence of those identifying as LGB+.
Shalley reflected: “If you think about the 60s and the 70s and the big revolution of sexual freedom then, maybe it’s happening again.”
Future Impact Still Unclear as Identities Evolve
Despite this growth, there is uncertainty about whether it will lead to lasting social change. The fluidity of identity labels and how people describe their sexual orientation continues to evolve, potentially reshaping future definitions of identity and relationships.
The research identified young bisexual women as the primary drivers behind the LGB+ population growth over the eight-year period.
“There is lots of evidence that women’s patterns of attraction and behaviour are more likely to change over time than men’s, so we cannot be certain they will continue to choose the same sexual identity in the future, or even remain part of the sexual minority population as it is now described,” Shalley noted.
2026 Census to Offer First Nationwide Snapshot
The 2026 Census marks the first time Australia will officially measure sexual orientation, offering a more precise estimate of the nation’s queer demographic. Until then, researchers project the population could grow by about 3% each year.
Shalley concluded: “We could see an adult LGB+ population size of about 1.7 million people once the next data is updated from 2024. That’s an even bigger jump.”
