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A new study shows that ninth-grade girls identifying as lesbian or bisexual have decreased significantly from 30% in 2021 to 17% in 2025, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. This decline is particularly notable among those who previously identified as bisexual alone, whose numbers dropped from 26% to 13%. Researchers are struggling to explain this trend, which contradicts earlier increases observed post-COVID-19 pandemic. While some attribute the shift to political changes under former President Joe Biden, others like Walt Heyer caution against premature conclusions and emphasize the need for further research.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-13,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The number of ninth-grade girls identifying as lesbian or bisexual has sharply declined from 30% in 2021 to just 17% in 2025, according to data highlighted by The Washington Post. Specifically, those identifying solely as bisexual dropped significantly, from 26% to 13% during the same period. This trend contrasts with boys' identification rates, which have remained relatively stable over a decade. While younger girls show this decline, older teenage girls still exhibit higher rates compared to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting a complex shift in how young Americans define their sexual orientation. Walt Heyer cautions against drawing definitive conclusions without further research, while Jean Twenge attributes the trend to factors unrelated to presidential administrations.
Written for “Teen Identity Labels Evolving” on 2026-10-13,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it +0.35, but 1 quote(s) could not be found in the article and the other 1 are attributed speech rather than the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 75457: no verified evidence · logged 2026-10-13
Ninth-graders abandoning queer labels at dramatic rate, stumping researchers
By
asserted
graders → abandon → researchers
The number of teenage girls identifying as lesbian or bisexual has plunged in just four years, according to new data highlighted by The Washington Post, revealing a dramatic shift in how young Americans describe their sexual orientation and leaving researchers searching for answers.
uncertain
Americans → identify → answers
The share of ninth-grade girls identifying as lesbian or bisexual dropped from 30% in 2021 to just 17% in 2025, while those identifying as bisexual alone fell by half, from 26% to 13%, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data cited in the report.
uncertain
those → identify → report
The percentage of boys identifying as gay or bisexual has remained largely unchanged over the past decade, while the share of high school girls identifying as lesbian or bisexual surged following the COVID-19 pandemic before beginning to decline, the Post reported.
asserted
Post → identify → pandemic
Although those numbers have continued to fall, rates among older teenage girls have remained relatively steady and are still higher than before the pandemic, the outlet reported.
asserted
outlet → continue → pandemic
Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University who published her analysis of the 2025 data on her Substack “Generation Tech,” told The Washington Post that the downward trend began while former President Joe Biden was still in office, casting doubt on whether the shift could be attributed to a change in presidential administrations.
uncertain
shift → publish → administrations
In a recent post on X about the development, Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project wrote, “Amazing what happens when you cut the Department of Education and USAID.”
asserted
you → write → Education
The available data also does not explain why such a political transition would affect certain age groups differently, according to The Washington Post.
uncertain
transition → explain → Post
Walt Heyer, who detransitioned 40 years ago after identifying as a woman for eight years and author of many books, including “Trans Life Survivors,” cautioned against drawing sweeping conclusions from the findings, telling Fox News Digital that more research is needed before declaring a lasting shift.
“It’s premature to celebrate this one report as proof of a downward trend,” Heyer said.
asserted
Heyer → detransitione → trend
“Better to be skeptical and conduct more studies before we put this study in the win column.”
asserted
we → conduct → column
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