Sometimes being out is an ordinary sentence: “My husband and I went away for the weekend.” Sometimes it is the pause before that sentence, while you decide whether the person listening feels safe.
New research from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation captures the hope and caution that can sit beside each other in LGBTQ+ lives.
Released on October 8 ahead of National Coming Out Day on October 11, the findings show that 33% of LGBTQ+ adults surveyed say they are more open about their identity than two years ago. Another 45% report no change, while 22% say they are less open.
That comparison matters. The results describe people’s recollections of their own openness, rather than tracking the same individuals across two separate surveys.
HRC also reports that 56% say the current political climate makes them less likely to be open. Feeling pressure to conceal something and continuing to live openly are experiences that can coexist.
There are differences across generations, too. Older LGBTQ+ adults are the most likely to describe themselves as very open, while younger adults are more likely to report increased openness over the past two years.
For someone who spent decades learning to introduce a boyfriend without an explanation, those findings may carry a personal resonance.
The research also highlights particular pressure on transgender people: 70% of transgender and gender-expansive adults say the political climate makes them less likely to be open.
The online survey included 9,328 U.S. LGBTQ+ adults and ran from August 5 to September 8. Participants were recruited primarily through HRC Foundation’s research panel and additional outreach. Results were weighted, but the sample was not randomly selected; the figures are descriptive estimates, with no conventional margin of sampling error.
As Coming Out Day approaches, the findings offer something to celebrate without making openness an obligation. Whether someone introduces their husband freely, confides in one trusted friend or keeps part of their life private, they deserve dignity and support.
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