This route shows the estimated unprocessed number of LGBT people (ages 13+) living in each state. The statistics are based on a Williams Institute analysis of surveys conducted by Gallup Polling () and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; and YRBS). For more information, see the methodology in the Williams analysis.
K - M+
K - K
50K - K
8K - 49K
Data are not currently available about LGBT people living in the U.S. territories.
Percent of Adult LGBTQ Population Covered by Laws
*Note: These percentages reflect estimates of the LGBTQ adult population living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Estimates of the LGBTQ adult population in the five inhabited U.S. territories are not ready, and so cannot be reflected here.
This map shows the estimated percentage of each state's adult (ages 18+) population that identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, based on a analysis of Gallup facts by The Williams Institute.
% and greater
%%
%%
%%
Percent of Individual LGBTQ Popula
Diverse group of cities possess highest rates of male lover households
ORLANDO, Fla. — Once known for singer Anita Bryant’s anti-gay rights campaign and a ban on gay and lesbian adoptions, Florida is now house to two metro areas with among the uppermost concentrations of gay and lesbian coupled households in the U.S., according to a new report released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Orlando and Miami had the fourth and sixth highest percentages respectively of same-sex coupled households in the U.S., according to the report released this week using data from the bureau’s American Society Survey.
San Francisco, Portland and Seattle topped the list. Austin was No. 5 and Boston came in at No. 7. But they were joined in the top 10 by some unexpected metro areas like Baltimore, Denver and Phoenix. Noticeably absent were three of the nation’s largest metros: New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Though they have some of the nation’s most visible LGBTQ communities, the vastness of their metro areas dilutes the concentration.
The appearance of these metros on the list shows that tolerance isn’t limited
Gayest Cities in America
Obergefell v. Hodges is a civil rights case in which the Supreme Court dictated that the fundamental right to wedding is guaranteed to same-sex couples. Decided on June 26, , Obergefell v. Hodges required all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and US territories to issue marriage licenses to queer couples and acknowledge the marriages of same-sex couples on the same terms and conditions as opposite-sex marriages.
LGBTQ-Friendly Cities
While all 50 states are required to recognize gay marriages, some states and cities are more LGBTQ friendly and have higher populations of gay couples. Portland, Oregon, for example, is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the US. Portland was the first major city to elect an openly gay man as mayor in and mandated most common restrooms to be gender-neutral in Salt Lake City, Utah has two lgbtq+ city councilors, a lesbian mayor and a pride festival of more than 40, participants every year.
Top 10 Cities by LGBTQ Population
The ten gayest cities in America are:
San Francisco, CA
Santa Rosa, CA
Seattle, WA
Boston,
The most and least gay cities in America
FacebookEmailXLinkedInRedditBlueskyWhatsAppCopy linkImpact Link
SaveSaved Peruse in app
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading an account? .
Among the nation's 50 largest metropolitan areas, San Francisco has the highest percentage of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) at %, according to a new Gallup survey.
In Portland, Oregon and Austin, Texas, % and % of the population identifies as LGBT, respectively, adequately above the national average of %.
Salt Lake City, Utah also made the top 10, at % — a somewhat surprising come across , given Utah's reputation as one of the most conservative states in the union. As the survey notes, however, Utah remains one of the only states to have passed a law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Gallup
After interviewing , randomly selected adults in all 50 states, researchers found that the most "gay" metropolitan areas were in the West, while the least