You are 100% correct.
And let's not forget about the non-binary people as well. Like anybody, any human being. That's what I should have written. Thank you so much for pointing it out. Sometimes I let my anger get the better of me, I only had 25 minutes to write this. 🤦‍♂️

The success of stories like Heated Rivalry proves that our need for connection and joy is immutable. If you have a favourite story that provides you comfort when the world feels like it is falling apart, share it below. ../9 [End]

If we want to know the heart of a generation, we should look less at what they tell a surveyor and more at the stories they turn to for comfort when the world feels broken. We should look at where they spend their money. ../8

If young people are increasingly skeptical of the establishment, they are likely to view a survey as a tool of that establishment. They may provide the wrong answer as an act of defiance. I know that I used to do it. ../7

There is a profound gap between how someone might impulsively answer a digital prompt to rebel against an institutional researcher and how that same person spends their time and money. ../6

We see this consistently in political polling through the Bradley effect. Originally describing voters who hide their true intentions to avoid social judgment, this phenomenon has evolved in the internet age.../5

When the political climate feels restrictive or anti-establishment sentiment rises, people rebel by seeking out stories of yearning and connection. This highlights why modern surveys are increasingly off the mark. ../4

Human sexuality is an immutable part of our existence. In times of social instability, people don't always turn toward bias. They turn toward escape. Like fairy tales, these stories offer a "happily ever after" that functions as a counterweight to a world that feels as though it is falling apart../3

It is based on a long-standing, bestselling book series within the genre of M/M romance, that has thrived for years. Its popularity among gay and bisexual men, as well as straight women, suggests a deep-seated human appetite for queer joy that predates the 2020 peak cited by researchers. ../2

*any more cuts*

I would say "you're lucky that I'm wearing pants." LOL.