{"id":5692,"date":"2025-06-12T16:19:57","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T16:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/?p=5692"},"modified":"2025-06-20T15:19:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T15:19:39","slug":"what-holds-back-lgbtq-gen-zers-coming-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/what-holds-back-lgbtq-gen-zers-coming-out","title":{"rendered":"Staying Closeted: What Holds Back LGBTQ+ Gen Zers from Coming Out"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5713\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cover-_-3.png\" alt=\"What holds back Lgbtq Gen Zers from coming out\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cover-_-3.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cover-_-3-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"color: #303a4e;\"><p><strong>Key takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>LGBTQ+ statistics show that <strong>65%<\/strong> of LGBTQ+ Gen Zers identify as bisexual or pansexual, while <strong>23%<\/strong> identify as gay or lesbian.<\/li>\n<li>Despite progress, the LGBTQ+ community continues to face discrimination, with <strong>7%<\/strong> having been denied housing and <strong>11%<\/strong> fired or rejected from a job due to their sexual orientation.<\/li>\n<li>Likewise, <strong>25%<\/strong> have felt pressured to tone down their queerness at work, while <strong>9%<\/strong> have been fired for reporting discrimination.<\/li>\n<li>Some <strong>36%<\/strong> of LGBTQ+ Gen Zers dress to appear straight, and <strong>59%<\/strong> avoid public displays of affection due to safety fears.<\/li>\n<li>Likewise, <strong>46%<\/strong> avoid mentioning their partner\u2019s gender at work, fearing discrimination. Yet,<strong> 37%<\/strong> say the workplace has become more accepting in the last five years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Who cares what previous generations think \u2013 For Gen Z, identity is fluid, love is love, and authenticity matters more than tradition.<\/p>\n<p>What percentage of Gen Z is LGBTQ+? Approximately 28% in the United States, according to the latest <a href=\"https:\/\/news.gallup.com\/poll\/611864\/lgbtq-identification.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">sexual orientation data<\/a>. Of those who identify as LGBTQ+, 65% label themselves as bisexual or pansexual, while 23% identify as gay or lesbian, and 12% as another sexual orientation besides heterosexual.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5696\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1-1.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1-1-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s only counting those who are out and open to sharing their sexual orientation. With discrimination in society and the workplace still rife, there are likely many more who don\u2019t feel comfortable embracing Gen Z\u2019s openness.<\/p>\n<p>EduBirdie surveyed 2000 LGBTQ+ Gen Zers on their experiences and struggles. The results show that while the world is becoming more accepting, many still feel forced to tone down their authenticity, keep their sexual orientation secret, and hide their true selves.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pride_and_Prejudice_Societys_Treatment_of_LGBTQ_Gen_Zers\"><\/span>Pride and Prejudice: Society\u2019s Treatment of LGBTQ+ Gen Zers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5699\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4-1.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4-1-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Food, water, air, and a place to call home. All humans deserve to have their basic needs met. Yet, when it comes to housing, some seemingly believe that the LGBTQ+ community isn\u2019t deserving of the basics. Turned away not because of bad credit or low income but because of who they love, 7% say they\u2019ve been denied housing due to their sexual orientation.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5707\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/12.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/12.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/12-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Job interviews should be based on skills and suitability, not sexuality. Yet, 15% of LGBTQ+ Gen Zers have faced questions about their sexual orientation while attempting to secure a role.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5703\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/8.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/8.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/8-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You may have the perfect resume and all the skills to excel in a role. However, if your label isn\u2019t heterosexual, everything else means little to the ignorant and intolerant, with 11% of LGBTQ+ Gen Zers having been fired or rejected by an employer due to their sexual orientation.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Closeting_on_the_clock_Can_Gen_Zers_be_themselves_at_work\"><\/span>Closeting on the clock: Can Gen Zers be themselves at work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5710\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/15.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/15.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/15-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For 22% of LGBTQ+ Gen Zers, being themselves at work doesn\u2019t feel like a right but a risk. Some 15% say they\u2019ve felt indirectly pressured to stop using sexual orientation identifiers by an employer, while 7% have been directly asked to avoid it.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5708\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/13.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/13.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/13-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Modern employers preach equality, yet displaying a rainbow flag during Pride Month means nothing if you fail to show support behind closed doors. Some 25% of Gen Z LGBTQ+ people admit they have felt pressured to hide their true colors at work, with 9% having been directly asked to tone down their queerness.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5711\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/16.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/16.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/16-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Speak up, challenge bias, and report discrimination \u2013 and you might just find yourself out of a job. Worryingly, with 9% stating an employer let them go after they reported an issue to HR, LGBTQ+ Gen Zers are more likely to be shown the exit than supported.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Play_it_straight_Do_LGBTQ_people_feel_forced_to_hide\"><\/span>Play it straight: Do LGBTQ+ people feel forced to hide?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5698\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3-1.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3-1-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For many LGBTQ+ Gen Zers, picking an outfit isn\u2019t about style; it\u2019s about safety, with 36% admitting they intentionally dress to appear more straight. Quite literally, the fear of judgment, ridicule, and even assault forces them to keep their queerness in the closet.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5700\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/5-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/5-1.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/5-1-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When something as simple as holding hands feels like a crime, it causes you to look over your shoulder. Who\u2019s watching? Am I safe? Is it worth the risk? These fears force 59% of LGBTQ+ Gen Zers to avoid public displays of affection, with 14% doing so often.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5706\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>But it isn\u2019t just the public that the LGBTQ+ community fears coming out to \u2013 It\u2019s the people and communities closest to them. For 29%, coming out to their parents is out of the question, while 33% plan to keep it secret from their grandparents.<\/p>\n<p>At work, 24% plan to hide their true selves, and 26% never intend to come out to their religious community.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5704\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9-300x201.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Hoping to dodge judgment and sidestep questions, 22% of LGBTQ+ Gen Zers admit to taking a fake plus-one to an event. Whether family get-togethers (13%), work functions (6%), or parties with friends (11%), for many, the pressure to \u201cpass\u201d as straight turns every occasion into a performance.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5705\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Marriage is supposed to be a celebration of love, but when society is unwilling to cheer you on, it doubles up as a cover story. Depressingly, 21% of LGBTQ+ Gen Zers have considered getting hitched as a way to hide their true sexual orientation, with 2% having already tied the knot.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_office_closet_Keeping_quiet_in_the_workplace\"><\/span>The office closet: Keeping quiet in the workplace<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5701\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/6-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/6-1.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/6-1-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Workplace inclusivity policies may preach acceptance, but many LGBTQ+ employees still feel compelled to hide their sexuality while on the clock. For instance, 46% avoid mentioning their partner\u2019s gender during office chit-chat.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5702\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/7.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/7-300x201.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Some 51% hide their loved one behind neutral terms such as \u201cmy partner\u201d. However, for many, their significant other remains a secret, with 14% referring to them as a \u201cfriend\u201d, 3% as a \u201croommate\u201d, and 20% avoiding mentioning their relationship entirely.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5697\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2-1.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2-1-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>What do you consider when job-hunting? Wage? Location? Security? What about inclusivity? For 45% of LGBTQ+ Gen Zers, it\u2019s a serious consideration when searching for a new role.<\/p>\n<p>Navigating today\u2019s job market is tough enough \u2013 now add the weight of needing a judgment-free workplace.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The progressive employer: Is the workplace becoming more LGBTQ+ friendly?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5709\" src=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/14.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/14.png 760w, https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/14-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For some, the workplace has become a refuge, and for others, a risk. While 37% say they feel safer being open in the office compared to five years ago, 36% say it has become more hostile.<\/p>\n<p>The needle is moving, but whether it\u2019s forward or backward depends entirely on where you stand and who\u2019s standing beside you. In 2025, sexual orientation should be a non-issue, but many still struggle to let others be who they want to be.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key takeaways: LGBTQ+ statistics show that 65% of LGBTQ+ Gen Zers identify as bisexual or pansexual, while 23% identify as gay or lesbian. Despite progress, the LGBTQ+ community continues to face discrimination, with 7% having been denied housing and 11% fired or rejected from a job due to their sexual orientation. Likewise, 25% have felt [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"entity":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>LGBTQ+ Gen Z: Why Many Still Stay in the Closet<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Why many LGBTQ+ Gen Zers stay closeted\u2014discover key insights from EduBirdie\u2019s survey on identity, fear, and workplace bias in today\u2019s society.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/what-holds-back-lgbtq-gen-zers-coming-out\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"LGBTQ+ Gen Z: Why Many Still Stay in the Closet\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Why many LGBTQ+ Gen Zers stay closeted\u2014discover key insights from EduBirdie\u2019s survey on identity, fear, and workplace bias in today\u2019s society.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/what-holds-back-lgbtq-gen-zers-coming-out\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Edubirdie Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-12T16:19:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-20T15:19:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cover-_-3.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"David Robbins\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta 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