Gen z’s views on LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance Gen Z is the “gayest” generation ever. Nearly 1 in 5 Gen Zers identify as a part of the queer community, compared to 1 in 10 millennials, and 3 in 100 Gen Xers, according to a national research survey. Gen Z is also the most accepting generation when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. Part of this is because 1 in 5 identify as a part of that community but it’s also because they are more accepting of diverse identities than previous generations. They’re more diverse, educated, and plugged in than generations before. This contributes to Gen Z being more supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.
A majority of this generation believes that LGBTQ+ people should have the same rights as heterosexual individuals. 59% of them believe that all government and standardized forms should have gender-neutral options or the ability to use gender-neutral pronouns. And over half think the world is not accepting enough of gender-fluid or transgender individuals.
Knowing these facts and statistics, how can we support them? We should be striving to be more like them, despite the differences between our generations. It is vital to keep an open mind and recognize that our society is changing and evolving. 48% of Gen Z think societal change is a good thing, compared with 15% who think it’s a bad thing. Here are some thoughts on how educators, organizations and parents can stay open to the emerging generation: a. Embrace change. You may not understand them entirely, or know why they feel the way they do but accepting that their thought process is different than other generations is the beginning of change. b. Educate yourself on Gen Z and the LGBTQ+ community. We often achieve acceptance through education - the more we know about something, the more likely we are to form well-rounded and thoughtful opinions, which can lead to greater acceptance. c. Talk with them. You can learn and understand most by going directly to the source. Ask questions. Be open to whatever the answer is. Welcome the generational differences, and engage with them, rather than bristling at their presence. Strive to support them, and the LGBTQ+ community. If you’d like to learn more about GenZ, visit my blog posts on my website www.genzandu.com , and find other related educational materials, follow along with us at GenZ&U.
Sources: Gallup. (February 22, 2023). Share of respondents who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in the United States from 2012 to 2022, by generation [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 26,
2024,
from https://www.statista.com/statistics/719685/american-adults-who-
identify-as-homosexual-bisexual-transgender-by-generation/
Kim Parker and Ruth Igielnik, May 14th, 2020, What We Know About Gen Z So Far, Pew Researchhttps://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/05/14/on-the-cusp-of-adulthood-andfacing-an-uncertain-future-what-we-know-about-gen-z-so-far-2/ Simona Vigodner, February 16th 2016, How Acceptance Is The Result Of Your Education, The Academy Chronicle https://academychronicle.com/2301/article-graveyard/how-acceptance-is-the-result-of-youreducation/ Sustainability and ethical consumption are hot topics among GenZ. What are they, and how can leaders keep them in mind? As leaders, we must practice sustainability. Research shows sustainable practices lead to greater employee satisfaction, better business outcomes, and resilience economically, and socially. We also know that greater sustainable practices lead to an increase in consumption; a survey showed that 71% of Gen Zers will stay loyal to brands they feel they can ethically trust. Ethical consumption may lead to employee buy-in. When employees feel they can stand by their service or product from an ethical standpoint, they are more likely to promote it and engage in related work. Knowing Gen Z makes up 27% of the workforce, this is important to keep in mind! They also make up 40% of global consumers - and have been proven to gravitate to ethical goods; they’re willing to pay up to 15% more if they feel good about their purchase.
So what are these practices? Sustainability comprises practices supporting ecological, human, and economic health and vitality. It assumes resources are finite, and acknowledges we will not always have unlimited access. This is associated with ethical consumption; the notion people will make a habit of buying goods from ethical companies and avoid buying from unethical ones. Ethical consumption is often practiced through consumption of sustainable goods. The outdoor clothing company Patagonia is a great example of both concepts. Patagonia emphasizes sustainability and ethical consumption and strives to make their products environmentally friendly, and their workspaces to be accommodating and supportive. As a result, of the 100 most visible brands in America, they ranked number one in strong reputation, with Gen Z respondents making up almost ⅓ of this survey.
Ethical consumption and sustainability can be difficult to practice, they are necessities when considering Gen Z and the global market. Aim to apply both to your workforce and model their tenets as leaders. If you are a leader in the workforce and would like to learn more about how to achieve this, reach out to me as I learn, coach and impact this generation and beyond.
Sources: Francis, T., & Hoefel, F. (2018, November 12). ‘True Gen’: Generation Z and its implications. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/ourinsights/true-gen-generation-z-and-its-implications-for-companies
Rock, D. (2020, January 9). The NLI interview: Patagonia’s Dean Carter on how to treat employees .Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrock/2020/01/09/the-nli-interview-patagonias-deancarter-on-how-to-treat-employees-like-people/?sh=125ab0d7188c
S. Roostaie, N. Nawari, C.J. Kibert, Sustainability and resilience: A review of definitions, relationships, and their integration into a combined building assessment framework, Building and Environment, Volume 154, 2019, Pages 132-144, ISSN 0360-1323, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.02.042.
