More and more young women in France no longer identify as heterosexual

"Bisexual, but homoromantic."
"I’m in a relationship with a girl, but I don’t define myself as a lesbian."
"I just say I’m gay — it’s the word our generation loves."

These are just a few of the ways that young women in France are describing their sexuality today. According to a new study published in Le Monde, increasing numbers of young French women are rejecting traditional heterosexual labels — signaling a major shift in how sexuality is understood and expressed among Gen Z.

The Research: Shifting Definitions of Desire

The findings come from the book La Sexualité qui vient ("The Sexuality of the Future"), by sociologist Marie Bergström of France's National Institute of Demographic Research (INED). The data reveals a striking trend:

• 19% of women aged 18–29 do not identify as heterosexual.

• Among men in the same age group, that figure is 8%.

• Among young women, this proportion has increased fivefold since 2015.

This isn’t just about changes in behavior — it’s about changes in identity. Many of the participants have not yet had same-sex partners, but still describe themselves as bisexual, pansexual, or fluid. The trend points to an expanding understanding of sexuality as non-fixed, exploratory, and open to reinterpretation.

Labels Beyond Labels: The Rise of Bisexuality and Pansexuality

The growth in women identifying as bisexual or pansexual is particularly noteworthy. These identities are often less about fixed attraction to one gender and more about a spectrum of possibilities. Sociologist Wilfried Rault, co-author of an article in Population & Sociétés, notes that this evolution reflects a broader cultural shift away from binary ideas of attraction:

“Many young people haven’t had same-sex experiences yet still don’t identify as heterosexual. It’s not just about desire, but about keeping the field of possibilities open.”

The Feminist Factor: Identity, Agency, and Politics

Researchers believe that feminism — particularly in its current, intersectional and post-#MeToo form — is deeply intertwined with this rethinking of sexual identity. According to Rault, bisexual and pansexual women are more likely to identify as feminists. This creates a feedback loop: feminist values inspire a more critical examination of sexuality, while queer identities often align with feminist ideals of agency, equality, and self-definition.

The growing distance from heterosexual norms may also reflect a cultural reaction to male-dominated dynamics in traditional relationships. Some sociologists see this as part of a broader push by young women toward autonomy — not only in their romantic lives, but in how they conceptualize desire, intimacy, and selfhood.

A Generational Shift — and a Broader Cultural Conversation

France, like many Western societies, is witnessing a generational reimagining of gender and sexuality. While older generations often saw sexual identity as something discovered, younger people are more likely to view it as constructed, evolving, and fluid.

This shift doesn’t mean traditional labels are obsolete — but it does suggest they’re no longer the only options. For a growing number of young French women, being queer isn’t just about who you’re with — it’s about how you see the world and your place in it.