The Scottish census 2022 was the first in history to ask people about their sexual orientation and history of gender identity. Our Policy and Campaigns Officer Joe takes a deep dive into the data, which confirms that our LGBT+ community is overwhelmingly secular.
What the data says
The 2022 Scottish Census asked people about their sexual orientation and trans history for the first time. The census found that 183,860 people in Scotland (4% of the adult population) identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or another non-heterosexual identity (LGB+). The data also revealed there are 19,970 people who identify under the trans umbrella, equivalent to 0.44% of everyone aged 16 and over. This group includes anyone who doesn’t identify with their sex assigned at birth, including trans men and women, non-binary and gender-fluid people.
A census report published last year confirmed Scotland’s status as a majority non-religious country. But what about the beliefs of the LGBT+ community? Newly released data from the census has allowed us to cross-examine religion with LGBT+ identity for the first time. So we can delve deeper than ever to examine these important questions.
Overall, fewer than a fifth of LGB+ and trans respondents identify with any Christian denomination. Straight and cisgender adults are more than twice as likely to say they are Christian.
The results largely confirm what we already understood. LGBT+ people are more likely to have an atheist, agnostic, or humanist worldview than the population at large. Analysis conducted by Humanist Society Scotland found that 71% of people who identify as LGB+ have no religion. This compares to just over 50% of those who identify as straight or heterosexual. Similarly, two thirds (66.7%) of people who responded “yes” to the question “Do you consider yourself to be trans, or have a trans history?” said they had no religion. Again, roughly 50% of those who ticked “no” to the same question are irreligious.
Of course, we can’t make comparisons with the previous censuses. But the rejection of organised religion does appear to be even more prevalent among members of the LGBT+ community than amongst the population at large. Only around 7% of LGB+ adults identify themselves with the Church of Scotland, compared with 24% of straight people. The disparity is less stark in the Roman Catholic church, which can count almost 9% of LGB+ adults and 14% of heterosexuals among its members. Overall, fewer than a fifth of LGB+ and trans respondents identify with any Christian denomination. Straight and cisgender adults are more than twice as likely to say they are Christian.
The profile of the LGBT+ community skews markedly younger than the population as a whole. The same is true for non-religious people.
What explains these trends?
Why are LGBT+ adults in Scotland so much more likely to seek meaning in their lives without religion? Looking at the census data alone, one obvious explanation is age. The profile of the LGBT+ community skews markedly younger than the population as a whole. Around half of bisexual people and trans people in Scotland are aged 16 to 24. The same is true for non-religious people. 63% of people in that same age bracket say they have no religion. And while non-religion is growing in all age groups, a majority of over-50s still identify with a faith.
Another explanation is cultural. The largest established faith bodies in Scotland have historically wielded their influence to uphold traditional gender roles and heteronormative standards. The LGBT+ community have faced exclusion, stigma, and overt discrimination from those groups as a result.
Many faith leaders continue to espouse conservative teachings on sexual morality and gender which stigmatise LGBT+ identities.
Recently, we have seen progress towards greater inclusion. For example, the Kirk General Assembly voted in 2022 to allow ministers to conduct same-sex marriages. However, many faith leaders continue to espouse conservative teachings on sexual morality and gender which stigmatise LGBT+ identities. Only this week, church elders at a parish in Kinross-shire voted to ban gay candidates from applying to become the new minister.
It is also noteworthy that LGBT+ people of faith identify with non-traditional (and more inclusive) groups at a much greater rate than the general population. Paganism was the third largest religious group in the trans community, with 6% identifying as Pagan compared to 0.4% of cisgender people. Remarkably, an enormous 41% of Pagans also identified as LGB+.
LGBT+ believers
We can’t neglect to mention the significant numbers of queer people who identify with organised religion. The publication of this data is an important step forward for all belief groups. Each now has a much better sense of the diversity among its adherents than before. Church of Scotland, Catholic and Muslim communities can count 12,608, 15,970 and 2,438 LGB+ people among their members, respectively. Thousands of trans people identify with established faith groups too.
Queer people of all faiths and none must be given a platform and a voice.
Last week, an important summit took place in Scotland, bringing faith and belief groups together to ask questions of First Minister John Swinney. Much of the talk revolved around fostering community cohesion and tackling stigma and discrimination. In such discussions, queer people of all faiths and none must be given a platform and a voice.
For our part, Humanist Society Scotland will continue to work towards full LGBT+ equality in this country. Humanists recognise the inherent dignity and value in all people. We want to see a society where individuals are empowered to embrace their identity and exercise personal autonomy. We’ll continue to fight for comprehensive legislation to end conversion practices. And we’ll keep pushing for the rights of the trans community to dignity, safety, and a humane route to legal recognition. Our celebrants, meanwhile, are proud to conduct personalised ceremonies for LGBT+ families, couples, and individuals to mark important life events.
The census results confirm that an overwhelming majority of LGBT+ people seek ethical and meaningful lives without religion. This only strengthens our resolve to support and stand up for the queer community.
Support our campaign work, make a donation today
Our campaign work is funded by the generous support of our members and supporters. Support our campaign work and help to create a fairer Scotland and world.
Join us!
Your membership will help to fund our campaign work to make Scotland a more secular, rational, and socially just country, and to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to humanist ceremonies to mark important life events.
Title image: A pride march. Creative Commons/Rawpixel.
Latest Related Stories
June 29, 2026
Dear Kate, Scotland doesn’t need to be saved by “Biblical truths”
June 29, 2026
Kate Forbes speaks at “anti-woke Davos”, calls for defence of Judeo-Christian values as basis of democracy
June 25, 2026
Draft bill to end conversion practices in England and Wales published at Westminster: what does this mean for Scotland?
June 1, 2026