Gen Z: Gender

Z has grown up in a world where acronyms like LGBTQA+ and words like heteronormativity and cisgender are familiar. However, some feel a deep tension between a generational zeitgeist of avoiding labels and passing judgment of any kind, and their own discordant discomfort and beliefs. Gen Z still largely waves the banner of “you do you,” and feel that acceptance and allowing individual choice is paramount.

Gender

In Oklahoma focus groups, the Gen Z college student researchers partnered with for this report asked questions about depression, bullying, loneliness, but refused to ask fellow Gen Z students any questions about their feelings around gender, “for fear of being offensive.”

‍

‍

Orientation

“I’m part of the LGBT community as a queer man, I’m also originally from Venezuela which makes me a part of Latin community as well, I’m also a big fan of video games and comics and love modeling for art, I’ve done photoshoots for my friend that is a photographer. I think whenever I explore these subcultures, I’m getting to know myself even more, so I would say I’m the same person but a better version.”

– Guillermo P., 22, Fort Lauderdale, FL

35 percent of Gen Z identified themselves as bisexual to some extent, compared to 24 percent of Millennials. (JWT, 2016)