There is an increased understanding of gender-neutral pronouns, with 26% of U.S. adults reporting they know someone who uses "they" pronouns as of 2021. 3. Key Challenges and Disparities Seven Things About Transgender People That You Didn't Know

While only 25% supported trans rights 5 years ago, that number rose to 62% by 2019. As of 2023, nearly 44% of U.S. adults reported knowing a transgender person.

A significant rise in LGBTQ+ identity is driven by young adults, especially young women, where the identification gap between young women and men has increased over 20 points since 2015. 2. Social Acceptance and Cultural Landscape

While general acceptance of LGBTI people has increased globally, it is polarized—some countries are becoming more accepting, while others are seeing a decline.

This report outlines the current landscape of the transgender community and LGBTQ+ culture in 2026, highlighting key demographics, societal progress, significant disparities, and cultural developments. 1. Demographics and Visibility

Transgender people are a key part of the LGBTQIA+ movement, with shared roots in resisting strict binary gender and sexual norms. However, some individuals feel that mainstream LGBQ spaces can still be exclusionary, with reduced feelings of belonging for trans and gender-diverse individuals.

Transgender and non-binary identification has become more visible, with roughly 1.6 million adults (aged 13+) in the U.S. identifying as transgender.

The transgender population is notably younger, with over half (53%) of trans adults under 35, compared to 28% of non-trans adults.