Can someone tell me what proportion of people are gay?

[Deep13]

This is solely for my own curiosity. Obviously, even if there are only a handful, there is still no basis for discrimination. I see numbers claiming it is as low as 2% to as many as 12%. I wonder if anyone has any real evidence to point to. Again, this is solely for my own curiosity.

[daninthemoon]

1. the left side, about half way down. that's the proportion.

[Deep13]

3. .

:banghead: :evilgrin:

[debbierlus]

2. It isn't either or -

The very rare are the 100% heterosexual or 100% homosexual. Given that nearly everybody (or everybody) has a homosexual fantasy at some point or been attracted to someone of the same gender, I think everyone is a little gay. In fact, I bet many people are out and out bi. It will take a much longer time for current American society to reach the point where we look at our romantic partnerships as choice of who we love rather then biologically mandated.

My husband has a relationship with a man. And, I think it was the only other true love of his life. He always says that it shouldn't be about sexual attraction at all, but about who you love. He is so amazing.

[Deep13]

6. I see.

I just read something to that effect on another website. The figure is lower for self-identifying GLB, but higher when GLB-curious is added.

Maybe we as a people will get to that point one day, but for my own self I cannot imagine it. There is still a rather obvious road-block in my mind if my thoughts wander in a homosexual direction. Suffice it to say I love my Sweetie very much and while I have always found her attractive, part of the reason I am attracted to her is because I love her so much.

[David__77]

4. Self-identified gay is probably 2-3%.

There are certainly more people than that who are homosexual though. And there are of course degrees to these things.

[Sub Atomic]

9. And then there are those who refuse to acknowledge it.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. It depends on how you define "gay"

The Kinsey study of 1954 (I think it was) came up with a figure of 10%. That study was deeply flawed, however, in that it used men taken from prisons and mental institutions (back in the day when being gay was sufficient to get you incarcerated or thrown into an assylum) and asked about having "sex to the point of orgasm" (no further elaboration was made) with another man at any time within the person's life.

Another sex study, done in 1994, came up with a figure of 2%. It was a much broader study with a statistically representational base. However, that figure was based on asking about specific sex acts (a different list for men and women) within the last 12 months.

The correct number is most certainly somewhere in between.

[jody]

7. 4% of voters in the last election said they were either "Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual".

CNN exit poll question, "Are You Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual?" with 4% answering "yes.

Of that subset of voters, 70% voted for Obama and 27% voted for McCain.

Total votes for president over 125 million.

[xfundy]

8. Is there a six-pack involved?

It makes a difference.

Funny thing is that christianists claim 1-2%, as if that makes a difference. They carefully step around the fact that Jews make up about 2% of the nation, because even while they hate them, it would be too obvious how close their mindset is to 1930s Germany to pick on them for being "jesus haters."

[KitchenWitch]

10. are you kidding me?

Please explain the six pack comment.

[cboy4]

11. Are you insinuating alcohol is what causes people to be gay?

I thought I'd heard everything.

[gaspee]

12. I took it as a joke

Ya know? The closet case two beer queer?