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Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Among Donor‑Conceived Offspring in the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study from Adolescence to Adulthood

April 2024

Using data from the seventh wave of the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study NLLFS, this study examines the gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and sexual experiences of 75 adult offspring of lesbian parents who conceived through donor insemination. It appeared in Sexuality Research and Social Policy in April 2024.

AUTHORS

Nicola Carone
Associate Professor, University of Rome Tor Vergata
Nanette Gartrell
Visiting Distinguished Scholar

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Highlights

The adult offspring had a consistent gender identity and sexual orientation from adolescence through emerging adulthood to adulthood.

Nearly all offspring who identified as cisgender during adolescence continued to do so during emerging adulthood and adulthood.

The adult offspring reported a more varied gender expression, but the the majority identified as heterosexual.

Data Points

95%

of AFAB offspring identified as cisgender

100%

of AMAB offspring identified as cisgender

64%

of AFAB offspring reported the same sexual orientation since adolescence

82%

of AMAB offspring reported the same sexual orientation since adolescence

59%

of AFAB offspring identified as heterosexual

81%

of AMAB offspring identified as heterosexual

Read the open-access journal article

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Among Donor‑Conceived Offspring in the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study from Adolescence to Adulthood