The sexual identity of individuals is surprisingly fluid, and this applies to both teenagers and seniors. According to the Antidiscrimination Agency of Germany, sexual identity refers to individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, heterosexual, asexual, or pansexual. It is not just about sexual orientation but also encompasses a person’s self-understanding of their sexuality. A recent study by Lancaster University sheds new light on the fluidity of sexual identity, which refers to the shifting and persistence of self-identified sexual orientation.
The study analyzed data from 22,673 individuals aged 16 and above from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) between 2011 and 2013 and 2017 and 2019. The results showed that 6.6% of the participants changed their reported sexual orientation during this period. The fluidity of sexual identity was found to be particularly high among young people aged 16 to 24 years (7.9%) and older adults aged 65 years and above (7.4%). The fluidity was less pronounced among individuals aged 25 to 64 years (5.0-6.2%). Women were more likely to experience fluidity in their sexual identity than men, and individuals from non-white ethnic minorities were three times more likely to experience fluidity than white individuals.
The study also found that individuals who entered into same-sex relationships were seven times more likely to change their sexual identity and report being gay or lesbian than those who did not experience such changes. The fluidity of sexual identity was more pronounced among individuals with lower levels of education and those who identified as bisexual or preferred not to disclose their identity. These findings have significant implications for social policies and public health programs that aim to support the well-being and equality of sexual minorities. The study highlights the need to recognize that sexual identities and partnership practices can change over the course of people’s lives.
