Young adults have never been more queer, according to a new study conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute. Over 1 in 4 American Gen Zers identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.

“With respect to LGBTQ identity, it’s very clear that Gen Z adults look different than older Americans,” Melissa Deckman, PRRI’s chief executive, said.

The study included over 6,600 participants and was conducted in August and September. It found that 28% of Americans aged between 18 to 25 years old identify as LGBTQ, compared to 16% of millennials, 7% of Generation X, 4% of baby boomers and 4% of the Silent Generation.

PRRI’s survey supports a previous study conducted by Gallup, which found that nearly 20% of Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ.

Experts believe this can be explained by the increasing acceptance of queer people in the United States — allowing people to self-identify as being part of the community.

“They’ve really grown up in a culture where being LGBT was normal and not something that people had to be embarrassed about or try and hide,” Jeffrey Jones, a senior editor at Gallup, told The Washington Post. “Certainly, there’s still some discrimination, but it’s nothing like it’s been when the older generations were growing up … it’s both things happening — the behaviors and the attitudes are changing, and it’s also the population changing.”

Source: Study Finds Nearly 30% Of Gen Z Adults In The US Identify As LGBTQ+