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According to the most recent census in England and Wales, approximately 3.2 percent of the population identified with an LGB+ sexual orientation, or approximately 1.5 million people. In the same census, 0.5 percent of the population, around 262,000 people, identified with a different sex from the one they were registered with at birth. The actual size of the UK's LGBTQ+ community is likely much larger than these figures indicate, due to the voluntary nature of these questions, and the fact the survey only counted those aged 16 or over. A recent survey of generations in Great Britain, suggested that only 71 percent of Generation Z identified as being straight, for example. In the same survey, when the question was about attraction rather than identity, just over half of Generation Z said they were exclusively attracted to the opposite sex, compared with 61 percent of millennials, 71 percent of Generation X, and 77 percent of baby boomers.
Same-sex marriage in the UK
Since March 2014, same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales, and in Scotland since December 2014. The last jurisdiction to recognize same-sex marriage in the UK was Northern Ireland, which did so at the start of 2020. Prior to the legalization of same-sex marriage across the UK, it was possible for same-sex couples to form a civil partnership, which were introduced in late 2005. Civil partnerships reached a peak of 16,106 formations in 2006, which was the first full year they were able to be performed. Among the British public, same-sex marriage enjoys widespread support. As of December 2024, 75 percent of people in Great Britain supported the law-change that allowed same-sex marriage, with just 17 percent opposing it.
Discrimination of LGBTQ+ community
Despite improving attitudes and acceptance, the LGBTQ+ community still face various forms of discrimination. As of 2022 for example, almost half of LGBTQ+ people thought that they faced discrimination at their place of work due to their sexual orientation. In the same survey, more than a quarter of respondents strongly agreed that LGBTQ+ workers were discriminated against due to their gender identity. A different survey also revealed that LGBTQ+ workers were often the targets of being undermined or humiliated at work, something experienced by 39 percent of trans workers, and one in five LGB+ workers. The rise of hate crimes against people for their sexual orientation, or because they are transgender is also a signal that, despite recent progress, more work is required in making the UK a safer and more inclusive country for LGBTQ+ people.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by D. Clark, Dec 19, 2024
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Key insights
- Number of people in England and Wales who identified as a LGB+ sexual orientation
- 1.5m
Detailed statistics
Sexual orientation (excluding heterosexual) of people England and Wales 2021
- Number of people in England and Wales who identified as a different sex than that registered at birth
- 262,113
Detailed statistics
Gender identity of those different to sex registered at birth England and Wales 2021
- Share of Gen Z exclusively attracted to the opposite sex
- 53%
Detailed statistics
Sexual attraction in Great Britain by generation 2022
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- Premium Statistic Sexual orientation (excluding heterosexual) of people England and Wales 2021
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Number and share of the population aged 16 or over by their sexual identity (excluding heterosexual) in England and Wales in 2021, by sexual orientation
- Premium Statistic Gender identity of those different to sex registered at birth England and Wales 2021
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- Premium Statistic Sexual orientation in Great Britain by generation 2022
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Rainbow Europe score for legal, political and human rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) people in the United Kingdom in 2024 (out of 100)
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Number of LGBTQ+ MPs in the UK parliament 2017-2019, by party
Number of LGBTQ+ Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2019, by political party
Marriage and relationships
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- Premium Statistic Number of same-sex families in the UK 1996-2022
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Marriage and relationships
- Premium Statistic Number of same-sex families in the UK 1996-2022
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- Basic Statistic Number of same-sex marriages in England and Wales by gender 2014-2022
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Number of same-sex marriages in England and Wales from 2014 to 2022, by gender
- Basic Statistic Number of people marrying a same-sex partner England and Wales 2022, by age
Number of people marrying a same-sex partner England and Wales 2022, by age
Number of people marrying a same-sex partner in England and Wales in 2022, by age group and gender
- Basic Statistic Number of same-sex marriages in Scotland by gender 2014-2021
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Number of same-sex marriages in Scotland from 2014 to 2021, by gender
- Basic Statistic Number of same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland by gender 2020-2021
Number of same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland by gender 2020-2021
Number of same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland from 2020 to 2021, by gender
- Basic Statistic Share of people who support or oppose same-sex marriage Great Britain 2019-2024
Share of people who support or oppose same-sex marriage Great Britain 2019-2024
Do you support or oppose the change in the law that allowed same-sex couples to marry? (August 2019 to December 2024)
Work and representation
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- Premium Statistic Britain LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination due to sexual orientation survey 2022
- Premium Statistic Britain LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination due to gender identity survey 2022
- Premium Statistic Employee rating for LGBTQ+ equality aspects in the UK 2019, by gender identity
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Work and representation
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How much do you agree with the statement "LGBTQ+ individuals face discrimination in the workplace due to their sexual orientation 2022"?
- Premium Statistic Britain LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination due to gender identity survey 2022
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How much do you agree with the statement "LGBTQ+ individuals face discrimination in the workplace due to their gender identity 2022"?
- Premium Statistic Employee rating for LGBTQ+ equality aspects in the UK 2019, by gender identity
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How would rate the following LGBTQ+ equality aspects at your employer? (On a scale of 1-5)
- Basic Statistic Share of LGBT+ people in the UK who have experienced conflict at work 2018-2020
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Hate Crimes and harrasment
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- Basic Statistic Number of sexual orientation hate crimes in England and Wales 2011-2024
- Premium Statistic Number of sexual orientation hate crime charges in Scotland 2012-2024
- Basic Statistic Number of transgender hate crimes in England and Wales 2011-2024
- Premium Statistic Number of transgender hate crime charges in Scotland 2012-2024
- Premium Statistic Number of sexual orientation hate crimes in England and Wales 2024, by police force
- Basic Statistic Number of transgender hate crimes in England and Wales in 2024, by police force area
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Hate Crimes and harrasment
- Basic Statistic Number of sexual orientation hate crimes in England and Wales 2011-2024
Number of sexual orientation hate crimes in England and Wales 2011-2024
Number of police recorded sexual orientation hate crimes in England and Wales from 2011/12 to 2023/24
- Premium Statistic Number of sexual orientation hate crime charges in Scotland 2012-2024
Number of sexual orientation hate crime charges in Scotland 2012-2024
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- Basic Statistic Number of transgender hate crimes in England and Wales 2011-2024
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- Premium Statistic Number of sexual orientation hate crimes in England and Wales 2024, by police force
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Number of police recorded sexual orientation hate crimes in England and Wales in 2023/24, by police force area
- Basic Statistic Number of transgender hate crimes in England and Wales in 2024, by police force area
Number of transgender hate crimes in England and Wales in 2024, by police force area
Number of police recorded transgender hate crimes in England and Wales in 2023/24, by police force area
- Basic Statistic LGBT+ teens in England experiencing online harassment 2022
LGBT+ teens in England experiencing online harassment 2022
Share of LGBT+ teenagers in England who have received online abuse as of January 2022
Global Overview
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- Basic Statistic Number of countries that permit same-sex marriage 2022, by continent
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- Premium Statistic Gender identity worldwide 2023, by country
- Basic Statistic LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. 2012-2024, by generation
- Premium Statistic LGBTQ Europe: legal and political standing of LGBTI people in Europe 2024, by country
Global Overview
- Basic Statistic Number of countries that permit same-sex marriage 2022, by continent
Number of countries that permit same-sex marriage 2022, by continent
Number of countries that have legalized same-sex marriage as of 2022, by continent
- Basic Statistic Number of countries that criminalize homosexuality 2024
Number of countries that criminalize homosexuality 2024
Number of countries that criminalize homosexuality as of 2024
- Premium Statistic Gender identity worldwide 2023, by country
Gender identity worldwide 2023, by country
Share of people identifying as transgender, gender fluid, non-binary, or other ways worldwide as of 2023, by country
- Basic Statistic LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. 2012-2024, by generation
LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. 2012-2024, by generation
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LGBTQ Europe: legal and political standing of LGBTI people in Europe 2024, by country
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