More than half of young people don’t identify as straight
The majority of young people don’t identify as ‘straight’, a new survey has found.
Anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label made the discovery in a survey on how people understand their sexuality.
1,000 people aged between 13 and 26 were polled for the results.
57% of respondents said they didn’t identify with traditional definitions of heterosexuality.
An incredible 93% said they believe it’s a positive thing to explore your own sexuality.
Liam Hackett, Chief Exec of Ditch the Label, said: “We know many young people grow up feeling confused and also pressured into conforming to specific labels of sexuality.
“So we became curious about exploring a new, fluid construct which looks beyond the traditional labels people have previously used to identify themselves.
“We hope this report goes some way to reassure young people that there is no right or wrong when it comes to identifying where you sit on the sexuality spectrum and indeed the exploration of your sexual identity is something that is completely normal.”
47% of respondents to the survey said they prefer not to be labelled at all, avoiding terms like ‘straight’, ‘lesbian’, and ‘gay’.
“I think giving visibility to people who were once suppressed by society has sent a very positive and clear message: that sexuality is not something that is ‘dirty’ or should be hidden away,” Hackett said.
Another survey found that gay and lesbian people are more at risk of eating disorders.
