Shifting sexual and gender identity labels in the US between 2012-2018 among American college-aged youth

Drawing on US data from a five-year nationwide longitudinal study of college applicants between 2012-2018 (N=6139; 2015–2016 was not surveyed) this presentation will examine shifting identity labels used to characterize sexuality and gender. A special focus will be on how these labels differ between difference regions of the US and various other demographic markers such as race and age. The literature on sexual fluidity and emergent sexual and gender identity labels will be used to contextualize trends observed. For example, 2016 study published in the Journal of American College Health by Sara Oswalt and colleagues provides a brief overview of various sexual and gender identity categories that were then used by college students. These identity labels include sexuality, sexual orientation and gender identity/expression articulated together. Recommendations will be made on how we analyze data and organizationally approach the topic of such labels to better support and affirm students