How can anyone accurately determine what percent of the population is GLBT?

Question

I've heard people that are against homosexuality speak out in the GLBT section stating that 10% is an inaccurate percentage, and it is more like 2 - 3% of the world population that is actually homosexual as stated in some recent study or something. How does anyone really know the accurate percentage? How many bisexuals out there are not counted, or are they excused? How many homosexuals that don't publicize their sexuality is not counted in this study? At any rate, all I know is there are 5 establishments in downtown Omaha that specifically cater to the GLBT community, and they do an outlandish amount of business, and have managed to stay in business for years. Someone could argue that there are a lot more places that cater to heterosexuals as well. That may be true, I never said we weren't a minority. However, 5 is a lot of businesses for only 2 -3% of the greater Omaha metro area, because a lot of people I know that are GLBT, don't frequent them.

Andrew, it's okay. If it were up to me, labels would vanish. Unfortunately, it isn't up to me. They're mainstream.

Answer 1

It's almost impossible to 'accurately determine what percent of the population is GLBT'

Answer 2

There is NO way to accurately determine specific percentages of the homosexual population.
But the 2000 US Census was the first thing that was even close.
Granted, it's only calculated the total percentage to be around 2-3% but that's only of those homosexuals who;

1: Openly admitted to being homosexual
2: Openly admitted to being in a homosexual relationship
3: were honest about their homosexuality

There is a HUGE number of single, closeted, or those who were simply too young to have answered at all on the census forms.

So ESTIMATES are rough at best, but have come up with as many as 10% of the population based on calculating other various sources.

Answer 3

The 10% thing has been around for years, and I believe it encompassed gays, lesbians, and bisexuals.
I am curious as to where you got the 2-3% figure.

But at any rate, it's just an estimate. There is no way to accurately determine exactly what the percentage is. There are too many people who won't answer that truthfully on the census, and people who don't even take those things.

Even at 2-3%, that's still a fairly large number of people in the US, and I can't see why business's wouldn't do well....

Answer 4

WOW your numbers are somewhat off, according to the Advocate March 2005, they estimate that 27% of the world is positive on the GLBT

Answer 5

It's probably much larger than the most liberal stats that are usually quoted. I think the most undercounted, hidden portion of the LGBT community are bisexual people. Many, if not most, are married and fit well into the straight community.

Answer 6

The far right wing say 4%. The more liberal side says 10%. No study has proven the accurate % exactly for the reasons you stated.

Answer 7

there is no way to determine how many are gay- and bisexuals are not counted.

people are in the closet, on the down-low, ect
and there is a group of 'down low bisexuals' they date both men in women, fall in love, live together, but still consider themselves straight.

Answer 8

God loves all of his children. except sex offenders. he hates them. and i agree there is no way they can no exactly andi know a lot of gay, lesbian, and bi people. 2-3% does not seem like enough. i don't recall anyone ever asking me if i was gay or whatnot. total bs. 2%, puh.

Answer 9

i've never believed in labels, so i say there's no need to. y does someone's sexual preference/orientation determine whut kind of a person they are? yer sexual preference/orienation is not a behavior (i'm not angry at you).