(Christian News) — A dramatic shift in how young Americans describe their sexual orientation has emerged in recent federal health data, revealing that the number of teenage girls identifying as lesbian or bisexual has dropped sharply over the past four years.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data recently highlighted by major media reports, the percentage of ninth-grade girls identifying as lesbian or bisexual fell from 30% in 2021 to 17% in 2025.

The shift was driven largely by a steep decline among those identifying as bisexual, which was cut in half from 26% to 13% over the same period.

While identification among high school boys remained steady over the last decade, the surge seen among high school girls following the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be reversing. However, rates among older teenage girls remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.

San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge analyzed the 2025 CDC figures on her publication, noting that the downward trend began while former President Joe Biden was still in office.

The timing casts doubt on whether the shift can be attributed strictly to changes in political administrations or election cycles.

Instead, culture observers and family advocates point to social influence. The rapid spike in non-heterosexual self-identification among adolescent girls during pandemic lockdowns was heavily tied to social media platforms, peer dynamics, and prevailing cultural trends rather than permanent identity.

Reactions to the new figures have varied across the research and faith communities.

Speaking to Christian media, Glenn T. Stanton, director of Global Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family, addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the figures.

“‘Why?’ is exactly the question,” Stanton stated, pointing out that researchers themselves acknowledge the difficulty in pinpointing a single cause. “That is refreshing from an academic.”

Meanwhile, other advocates emphasize that Christians should avoid drawing premature conclusions from short-term statistical swings.

Walt Heyer, author of Trans Life Survivors and founder of a ministry for those recovering from gender transitions, urged caution when reviewing the data.

“It’s premature to celebrate this one report as proof of a downward trend,” Heyer noted. “Better to be skeptical and conduct more studies before we put this study in the win column.”

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