What sources do you use for the percentage of the population that's glbt?

[Critters2]

I mentioned the 10% figure, and have been challenged. What percentage of the population do you think is glbt, and what sources do you point to for your figure?

Thanks for any help!

[ZombieHorde]

1. I like to use the number 100%, just to see the reaction.

Its good to know who you are talking with. No one knows the real number.

[Critters2]

7. Seems like that in my life...but then, I'm the bi fag hag pastor of a progressive church...

so, my experience may not be normative. :)

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. No one really knows,

The 10% number is fairly well discredited, but it really doesn't matter if its 10% or 1% or .00001% there is no reason for GLBTs not to have full rights.

[Vanje]

3. Not so high in rural Idaho

but its a HELL of a lot higher than you'd ever guess!

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. The problem comes when you define your terms

The 10% figure comes from a discredited study from 1954, with a sample population taken from prisons and mental institutions. (Keep in mind that, at this time, a person could be involuntarily committed or arrested and convicted for homosexual acts.) The people were asked about how they reached orgasm within the last year, during which time of of these people were locked up with only other inmates as potential partners.

A different result, 2%, comes from a study in, I think, 1992, which used a statistically accurate cross-section of America and asked about specific sex acts over their entire lifetime.

You also have the problem of people socially conditioned to lie when asked about their sexual activities, admitting to "normal" stuff and denying "abnormal" things. Then there is the issue of men who claim to be straight and either have a wife or a string of girlfriends, but who regularly have sex with other men. Lastly, there is the question of whether you are polling about sexual attraction versus sexual activity. In this, the ex-gay movement is correct: it is possible to have same-sex attraction without engaging in same-sex acts. Researchers must take this into consideration, and decide whether a man who is sexually attracted to men but never acts on that attraction is gay, bisexual or straight.

Last I heard, the current "best guess" says that between 4% and 7% of the adult human population is primarily or exclusively homosexual. I don't have any references to give you, however.

[Critters2]

6. But primarily or exclusively homosexual doesn't include bi or trans

people, really does it? So, that would kick the number up a bit.

[TechBear_Seattle]

8. "Primarily" implies "not only," so it would include bi tending towards gay

Probably another few percent can be added if you include bi tending towards straight. But the fact is, I am not aware of any study that derives that figure; that is probably because of the hetero-normative assumption of society.

As for transgender, I cannot say. I am not aware of any study that has tried to quantify the number of people who identify as transgender.

[One_Life_To_Give]

11. Trans about 1 in 500

Professor Lynn Conway published a recent study citing 1 in 500 or 0.2% for Transgender. Based upon rates of Transgender Surgeries IIRC. You can see the study linked from Lynn's website or here
ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway

However if you include Transvestites (US usage) the percentage will be higher, perhaps as much as 1-2% (From Tri-Ess IIRC)or more. But most of the guys in that group wouldn't admit it to their wives much less anyone else.

On Edit: Adjusted Link to Lynn's home page. Scroll down and you will see a link to the study on prevalence of transexualism.

[TechBear_Seattle]

15. Thanks for the info!

:hi:

[DarkTirade]

5. It also depends on how narrow a definition of GLBT you have.

There are plenty of people who have the potential to be bi, or are somewhat bi but favor one gender. And there are people who are just a little big genderqueer, but not trans. It's really far too fluid to make any kind of accurate picture, IMO.

[ColbertWatcher]

9. I've always heard 10-12%. But recently, the bigots have created the 2% figure. n/t

[Iggo]

10. I use 10% and I don't cite any sources.

I don't have any.

If that pisses somebody off, so be it. They can prove it's not 10% if they are so inclined.

[Runcible Spoon]

12. As an anthropologist I would say the 10% number is quite low...

That figure, IIRC, relies on a survey of self-identification. Of course, there is an argument to be made that you're not gay just because you have sex with someone of the same gender since it is really an encompassing question of identity. So the reason the numbers aren't easy to come by is because there are a lot of people who deny their nature and probably a lot who would be "bi" or "gay" is counted on sexual experience but identify as straight by marrying or maintaining straight relationships.

I identify bisexual; I have had more male partners than female but that was just a question of availability of people I was attracted to vs. some innate preference for men. I've had serious relationships with men AND women.

I am also actively interested in LGBT issues, but I don't necessarily feel as "bisexual" is part of what I project to the world unless the issue comes up so I guess I come across as "straight by default". Part of this is, unfortunately, for comfort and convenience and I have really been trying to include myself vocally because I DO internalize and feel the burn of bigots. The visibility issue is really quite contentious; ideally people wouldn't assume "straight by default" and it would be moot. However, as we are minorities without full equal rights, it is important that the nebulous and diverse "gay community" keep a face of solidarity. And in that way, I am an active member of the community.

[The Brethren]

13. I believe the 10% estimate

was originally brought up from an old Kinsey report based on the number of volunteers who worked with his study. It was awhile back so I can't remember the specific number of people he interviewed, etc. I'm not sure if that is the same place you may have received your figure from, but it's been used a lot since Kinsey.

Personally, I don't think 10% is actuate. I have read a variety of different studies, each with their own estimate...sometimes I think it has more to do with the interviewer and who they chose to ask then an honest representation. So, :-) I tend to go with my own estimate which is much larger then 10%. I believe most of the population is bisexual - if they were truly open and honest about it....with varying degrees of attraction to either sex. Not meaning they're only attracted to their own sex on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays. LOL But some are more attracted to their own sex then the other sex and vice versa.

The remaining population, in my opinion, is about equally divided between being either exclusively gay (where I fit in) or exclusively straight. These are my figures, not based on scientifically controlled and measured stats, but on my own experiences and gut feelings. Including the many (majority of) "straight women" who insist they're straight, but as I have gotten to know them, I found they are also attracted to other women. I've also found this to be true with men who identify as "straight" but later confide in being attracted to other men. Although, I found a larger percentage of women who call themselves straight, but are attracted to both sexes.

So those are my percentages......as accurate as I can be. :-D

[xchrom]

14. without being an expert -- i know i don't believe the 2% numbers --

and i think we'll find that 10% figure revisited.