Where Did All the Bisexual Women Go?

Verdict: Jean Twenge's analysis delivers rigorous, evidence-based reporting on a verifiable post-2022 drop in bisexual identification and same-sex behavior among young women, drawing directly from CDC's BRFSS and GSS surveys. While the sensational title adds intrigue, the piece transparently presents charts and data without misleading claims.

Strengths in Reporting

• Expert-led data dive: Twenge, a psychology professor known for *Generations*, extends her prior BRFSS analysis to GSS behavior data for ages 18-39, showing bisexual ID among young women falling from 2021 peaks (e.g., ~15% to ~8% in recent waves) and same-sex partners reported by women halving post-2022.
• Clear visualizations: Includes line charts tracking identity (BRFSS) and behavior (GSS) by age, sex, and year, highlighting the trend's specificity to young bisexual women while men's same-sex behavior ticks up slightly.
• Balanced trends: Notes broader context like rapid U.S. support for same-sex marriage (40% in 2008 to 60% in 2015) and decade-long rises before the reversal, avoiding overclaim.

"Patterns of behavior diverge even more: Women report much less same-sex activity in the last two years, while men report slightly more."

Key Techniques and Framing

• Sensational title and motif: "Where Did All the Bisexual Women Go?" frames the drop as a "puzzling reversal" or "mystery," priming curiosity. This emotional hook is evident in the opening, calling changes "dramatically reversed," though data supports the shift.
• No causation speculation: Wisely avoids explaining *why* (e.g., no social media or pandemic guesses), sticking to "what's going on?" as a data question.

Verifiable Omissions and Why They Matter

• GSS subgroup sample sizes: Recent waves have n<100 for young women reporting same-sex behavior, per GSS Data Explorer and Twenge's own *Generation Tech* blog. This introduces volatility, potentially inflating perceived sharpness of the "halving" (e.g., from ~10% to ~5%).
• Impact: Readers might overinterpret noise as signal without this caveat, though Twenge flags larger BRFSS samples for identity trends.

No other concrete factual gaps; the piece cites raw survey questions and links data sources.

Author and Outlet Context

• Jean Twenge: San Diego State psychology professor with 300+ publications on generational trends; her book *Generations* (2023) first flagged rising-then-peaking LGB ID.
• The Free Press: Substack-based outlet founded in 2021 by Bari Weiss and Nellie Bowles, subscription-funded (~$100/year), self-described as "honest, independent, fearless." Focuses contrarian cultural pieces; no formal fact-check ratings or retraction history noted.

Coverage Comparison

Other outlets confirm the core data but vary in depth:

• Generation Tech blog (Twenge's site): Charts full BRFSS/GSS for 18-39, notes small GSS samples explicitly, frames as "big increase then big decrease."
• Relevant Magazine: Identity-only (BRFSS 18-24), reports 21% aggregate drop since 2023, adds trans ID debate without behavior data.
• Fact Point (Threads): BRFSS summary for youngest group, speculates causes like mental health, contrasts with older cohorts.

Bottom line: This is solid journalism—transparent, chart-heavy, and agenda-free on causes—elevated by Twenge's expertise. The title's drama is a minor flourish that doesn't distort facts, and including GSS sample caveats would sharpen confidence in behavior trends. Readers get a clear view of a counterintuitive shift amid stable attitudes.

Further Reading

• Generation Tech: Less Gay Than Yesterday?
• Relevant Magazine: Young Adults Identifying as LGBTQ Has Dropped 21% Since 2023
• Fact Point: The Largest Change Was Seen in Bisexual Identification