More Americans identify as transgender than ever; Trump’s claim they “don’t exist” contrasts with rising numbers

Donald Trump may have signed an executive order claiming transgender people “do not exist,” but more Americans than ever now say they are transgender. A recent study by UCLA, published on August 20, has revealed that approximately 2.8 million people aged 13 and older in the United States identify as transgender.


Of those Americans who identify as trans, roughly equal numbers are trans men, trans women, and non-binary. About 33 percent are transgender women. About 34 percent are transgender men and 33 percent are transgender nonbinary adults, the UCLA study said.


The UCLA study found that the racial and ethnic makeup of people who identify as transgender closely mirrors that of the overall US population. It also concluded that the proportion of adults identifying as transgender has stayed fairly consistent with earlier research.

While adults aged 18 to 24 are now notably more likely to identify as transgender, those aged 25 to 34 also show higher rates compared with adults 65 and older.

The report also signified that Americans are becoming more comfortable with transgender issues and culture.

Shows and films from companies like Disney have featured transgender characters in recent years, allowing adolescents to see positive depictions of transgender people, which contrasts sharply with older media portrayals that were often stigmatizing or negative.

According to a 2022 report by Hartford Healthcare's Institute of Living, younger generations are increasingly open to exploring different aspects of their gender identity.