Ever feel like the world is getting a lot more colorful? If you’ve looked around lately—maybe on your social feed or just at brunch—you’ve probably noticed more women being open about not being strictly straight. It’s not just your imagination. The numbers are actually wild.
When we talk about what percentage of women are bi, we aren't looking at a tiny, static sliver of the population anymore. We’re looking at a massive cultural shift. According to the latest Gallup data from early 2025, about 10% of all U.S. women now identify as LGBTQ+, and the lion's share of that growth comes from women identifying as bisexual. In fact, women are now significantly more likely than men to identify as bi.
The Numbers Behind the Shift
So, let's get into the nitty-gritty. Why the sudden jump?
For a long time, bisexual people were the "invisible" majority of the queer community. But the 2024 and 2025 figures show that 56% of all LGBTQ+ adults identify as bisexual. If you break that down by gender, the gap is huge. About 10% of women identify as LGBTQ+ compared to only 6% of men. This isn't because there are "fewer" gay men; it’s specifically because women are identifying as bisexual at much higher rates.
Honestly, the generational divide is where things get really crazy.
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- Gen Z Women: Hold onto your hats. About 31% of Gen Z women identify as LGBTQ+. Most of them? Bisexual.
- Millennials: Around 18% of millennial women identify as LGBTQ+.
- Gen X and Boomers: The numbers drop off significantly here, with Gen X at about 5% and Boomers around 3%.
It’s not that older generations don't have these feelings. It’s that the social cost of coming out was—and sometimes still is—way higher for them. Gen Z grew up in a world where "The Summer I Turned Pretty" or "Heartstopper" are just... normal.
Is It Just a Trend? (Spoiler: Probably Not)
You’ve probably heard the skeptics. "It’s just trendy now," or "They’re doing it for attention."
But the data tells a different story. Researchers, like those featured in Psychology Today in late 2024, have found that it’s not just identity that’s rising—it’s attraction and behavior too. If it were just a fad, you’d see people using the label without the feelings. Instead, studies show a huge increase in women reporting same-sex attraction and experiences.
Basically, the "closet" is just getting a lot smaller. When society stops acting like being bi is a phase or a "pathway to being gay," people feel safer just being themselves.
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The Reality of Being Bi in 2026
Despite the rising numbers, it’s not all pride parades and easy living. Bisexual women actually face some unique (and kind of annoying) challenges.
There's this thing called bi-erasure. If a bi woman is dating a man, people assume she's straight. If she’s dating a woman, they assume she’s a lesbian. It’s like her actual identity disappears based on who she’s holding hands with.
Specific health data from the CDC has shown that bisexual women often experience higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to both straight women and lesbians. Why? A lot of it comes down to that "double rejection." Sometimes they don't feel "straight enough" for the straight world and "queer enough" for the gay world.
What Most People Get Wrong
One of the biggest misconceptions about what percentage of women are bi is that these women are "equally" attracted to men and women 50/50.
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In reality, bisexuality is a spectrum. Expert Alfred Kinsey pointed this out decades ago, but we’re finally starting to listen. Some women are 90% into men but have that 10% attraction to women. Others are the opposite. Many now use the term "Bi+" to include pansexual or fluid identities.
Why the Gender Gap?
Why are 31% of Gen Z women coming out while Gen Z men are staying around 12%?
- Social Flexibility: Society generally allows women more "wiggle room" with their sexuality and expression.
- Toxic Masculinity: For men, there’s often a much harsher stigma attached to any same-sex attraction.
- Community: Women often have stronger social networks where discussing fluid feelings is more normalized.
What This Means for the Future
We’re likely going to see these percentages continue to climb as younger generations (hi, Gen Alpha) hit adulthood. The "default" setting of being 100% heterosexual is becoming less of a requirement and more of just one option among many.
If you’re someone who is questioning or just curious about these stats, the most important takeaway is that you’re definitely not alone. Whether it’s 10% of the total population or 30% of your peer group, the "bi revolution" is well underway.
Actionable Steps for Understanding and Support
- Check Your Assumptions: Don't assume someone's sexuality based on their current partner.
- Listen to Bi Voices: Follow creators or authors who talk about the bisexual experience specifically, not just the broader LGBTQ+ umbrella.
- Validate the Spectrum: Acknowledge that attraction doesn't have to be a perfect 50/50 split to be valid.
- Support Inclusive Data: If you’re in a position to influence research or workplace surveys, ensure "Bisexual" is its own category rather than being lumped into a generic "other."
- Stay Updated: Keep an eye on the annual Gallup and Pew Research reports, as these numbers are shifting faster than almost any other demographic trend in the U.S. right now.
The landscape of identity is changing, and while the statistics give us the "what," the lived experiences of millions of women provide the "why." Understanding that bisexuality is a distinct, valid, and rapidly growing identity is the first step toward a more inclusive culture.