Poll: What percentage of people are LGBT?

[Something Amyss]

I definitely count.

what percentage of people are LGBT in the world?

Impossible to know. Well, without a) taking an exact census of the world's population and b) finding out how many are LBGT. Which of course also assumes that they would willing out themselves, in case they live in a country/community that is hostile to LBGT (Russia, Middle East, etc.)

So, if you're looking for a hard number, I doubt you'll ever find it. You'll have to make due with rough guesstimations.

Well, I mean, you could do surveys that would be relatively accurate, but you still run into the problem that you're asking people to self-report something that's still heavily stigmatised in much of the world, so....

The difference as I understand it, bi implies two or more (but not necessarily all), while pan implies all without exceptions. Obviously this is no longer (or may never have been) the case and if there is a line, it's certainly becoming blurred.

It's sort of amusing to watch bisexuals fight it out. "pansexual" came to be popular (I don't know about its original coining, but I do know abut its effective rise to fame) because a large number of bisexuals felt that it was a category specifically for "both" sexes.

And yet, if you call yourself a pansexual, you're accused of being a "special snowflake" quite often. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

[Nimcha]

The outcome surprises me a lot. Though I suppose the thread title in itself weeds out a few voters

 

[Dizchu]

I'm the "T" part and depending on definitions also the "L" part though I don't personally believe I qualify as a lesbian because I don't identify as "female" (at least not full-time).

As another person said, the poll will be inaccurate because LGBTs would be attracted to the topic more that straight people, however it's not a bad idea to get us folks to come together for a little discussion thread.

 

[Lieju]

Those kinds of numbers vary a lot because what exactly is considered LGBT varies.

For example, if you're mostly straight but are occasionally attracted to your own sex, are you LGBT? Do you identify as one? Would depend a lot on how acceptable it is.

Or if you're romantically but not sexually attracted to your own sex?

Or if you're asexual?

Or have gender dysphoria but it's not bad enough that you feel you are trans?

If your gender identity is neither male nor female?

Me, I identify as a lesbian. It's a bit more complicated (I'm only attracted to women but my own gender identity is kinda neither) but I go by that for the convenience.

 

[sky14kemea]

Or if you're asexual?

Or have gender dysphoria but it's not bad enough that you feel you are trans?

I'm actually both of these so I'm glad someone else knows about them.

I voted yes, 'cause I do think Asexual falls under LGBT, or the longer acronym of it that I forget. Other people may disagree with me though.

I also agree with the gender/sexuality thing being more of a greyscale then a set label, but it's not always bad to have a label close to what you feel. It can help inform other people of what you're feeling if they're familiar with the terms already.

 

[chikusho]

Impossible to find out, because human sexuality isn't as simple as checking a box.
It's more like a scale, ranging between exclusively homosexual to exclusively heterosexual, with asexuality also accounted for. A sliding scale that can change and adapt over time.

So there is no real clear definition.

 

[Zontar]

From the studies I've seen, 10% seems to be a safe bet for homosexuals. It could be more but I'm saying 'safe bet' for a reason.

As for trans people the statistics I've seen it range from 1-3%, so for the whole LGBT community I'd say 15% is a good estimate.

 

[username sucks]

Or if you're asexual?

Or have gender dysphoria but it's not bad enough that you feel you are trans?

I'm actually both of these so I'm glad someone else knows about them.

I voted yes, 'cause I do think Asexual falls under LGBT, or the longer acronym of it that I forget. Other people may disagree with me though.

I also agree with the gender/sexuality thing being more of a greyscale then a set label, but it's not always bad to have a label close to what you feel. It can help inform other people of what you're feeling if they're familiar with the terms already.

I'm sorry I didn't mention asexuality or gender dysphoria in my OP. I used the short acronym for LGBT, but the longer one includes asexual, questioning, and quite a few others that help to define it a bit better.

Impossible to find out, because human sexuality isn't as simple as checking a box.
It's more like a scale, ranging between exclusively homosexual to exclusively heterosexual, with asexuality also accounted for. A sliding scale that can change and adapt over time.

So there is no real clear definition.

I was well aware that the main question in this thread is impossible to answer. That's why I asked it.

 

[LarsInCharge]

I'm straight, my parents are lesbians.

12-15% of the total human population is a fair estimate. The numbers will be higher in accepting countries for obvious reasons. There aren't many brave enough to say "I'm gay" in a country that actively tries to kill gays.

 

[CitizenM]

"You see, Logan? We're not as alone as you think."

In all seriousness, you've created a very difficult task for yourself. Perhaps an impossible one. I agree with those that have criticized the bias of the thread itself; it actually tends to EXCLUDE straight people simply because of the way the title is worded. Many straight folks might not enter into a "gay topic" like this one to bother voting because the topic doesn't feel like "it's for them". Of course, fear and hatred will keep out a portion as well.

There is no commonly accepted range for the proportion of homosexuals in any given population. The barriers toward an accurate census of homosexuals are the following:

• 
  Fear, hatred and persecution prevent many gay people from identifying themselves in any way. Even online with a degree of annonymity.
  
  Due to the reality of life in a straight, prejudiced society of inequality, at any given time there is a significant portion of gay people raised as straight who do not yet realize they are gay.
  
  In spite of all the promotion that "It's okay to be gay", the current day-to-day reality is that it is not. As such, many gay people do not self-identify for convenience and thus leads to underepresentation.
  
  Despite progress, mainstream popular culture stereotypes gay people and still largely excludes them. As a result, the perception of the gay population through movies, music and literature is one that is abnormally small.
  
  The vast majority of gays are indistinguishable in dress, speech, and manner from straight people. As a result, the population of gay people is vastly underestimated.
  
  The current "gay community" self-discriminates through exclusivity. It promotes an exaggerated self-image of homosexual life that excludes the gay majority. Since only the loudest, most visible representation of homosexuals are seen by most, the gay population is perceived as unrealistically small.

 

[small]

I am bisexual. Although recently I heard that I am pan-sexual? Because I am attracted to anyone, including those who are trans. I thought that's what it meant to be bisexual, so I am confused by that.

I actually was able to keep it a secret, and actually I keep a lot of my time when I dated women a secret, because it is very personal to me. My mother hated lesbians, but she really liked gay men. And my father has never said one word about it. But a few months ago I saw someone on my Facebook post something pretty hateful, and I decided that I needed to finally speak out.

I'm married now, to a man, but I felt that it was important that I finally tell everyone the truth and stop lying to myself and others. I've been in relationships with women, and they've broken up with me because of the fact that I was so ashamed of my bisexuality that I kept it hidden from everyone. When I declared it on Facebook for the world to see, I lost a few friends. And it was awkward, but mostly everyone just went on with their life and either ignored it, didn't see it, or just didn't care.

Either way, I'm glad I finally came out about it. I know that one person tried to tell me it was a phase (I'm 31 and married, I don't think it's a phase any longer, I mean, come on). I've been attracted to girls since I was 5, probably more attracted to them than I was to men, but I liked being around boys better (I was a tom boy), so I ended up dating more boys than girls. As it is, I am the only one in my family (at least, that's come out, if there are others they hide it well).

So... that's my story. Wooo!

interesting story there and congratulations on things eventually working out and finding someone, haha i always love that "its a phase" comment

i have a friend who is pansexual, and she explained it as being totally attracted to individuals and gender doesnt matter in the slightest to them in regards to attraction. interesting difference compared to being bisexual.

as for the topic itself. there are some statistics from some old studies from the 50s and 60s thrown around but the simple truth is that no one knows for sure and as its a spectrum and not set in stone as such then things will vary from person to person and group to group.

so until we get a worldwide survey where everyone is perfectly fine with being totally honest and have an established rule set for deciding where everyone fits, no one will ever know for sure.

personally i dont think it matters if two consenting adults love each other good for them

 

[Ten Foot Bunny]

I used to consider myself bi, but now I just say I'm lesbian because my "attraction" to guys (if you can call it that) is pretty much non-existent. Specifically, I think I'm into the idea of guys, but not sexually attracted to them.

Sometimes I wonder why I even bothered dating the only three guys I was with (including the one I was married to for a year and a half) when the women who are my "type" are, like myself, very feminine. As much as I don't like labels, many would call me a lipstick lesbian as well as a girly girl, and those are also the types of women who capture my attention. As a lesbian who's also very feminine, it's so frustrating hearing misguided comments about how I don't "look the part," like I'm trying to trick guys into buying me drinks or something.

Talking about the LGBT climate here in Denver would be a thesis in and of itself, so I'll just say that it's pretty good in the city and in the corridor between here and Boulder, but, except for a few small patches, not so tolerant throughout the rest of Colorado.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

It's sort of amusing to watch bisexuals fight it out. "pansexual" came to be popular (I don't know about its original coining, but I do know abut its effective rise to fame) because a large number of bisexuals felt that it was a category specifically for "both" sexes.

And yet, if you call yourself a pansexual, you're accused of being a "special snowflake" quite often. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

It's surprising just how many "Special Snowflakes" there are. It's as if people who make use of labels are doing so because they actually want to find other people like them who identify the same way in order to belong somewhere, everything that a by definition[footnote]Internet definition, a person who wants to be the one and only[/footnote] special snowflake wouldn't actually want to do.

I'm actually both of these so I'm glad someone else knows about them.

I voted yes, 'cause I do think Asexual falls under LGBT, or the longer acronym of it that I forget. Other people may disagree with me though.

Happy Asexual Awareness Week. Remember people are more aware of asexuals this week, so don't go robbing any banks or stealing kittens in the night, don't partake in the usual hobbies.

bad joke I know

I'm sorry I didn't mention asexuality or gender dysphoria in my OP. I used the short acronym for LGBT, but the longer one includes asexual, questioning, and quite a few others that help to define it a bit better.

In case it comes up again in the thread, for other people

LGBTQIAP (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning[footnote]heard it stand for "queer" but that term makes some people extremely uncomfortable[/footnote], intersex, asexual (and/or aromantic), pansexual or polyamorous), but some people have found that it's too long for their tastes and have started using MOGAI[footnote]also MOGII[/footnote] (Marginalized Orientations, Gender Identities, and Intersex), or GSM (Gender and/or Sexuality Minority)[footnote]can also be GSI (Gender and/or Sexuality Identities)[/footnote] instead.

Taking all that into consideration and the problems that can arise with each acronym might be why the LGBT+ shorthand is still the most enduring and popular version.

 

[Ten Foot Bunny]

LGBTQIAP (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual, pansexual), but some people have found that it's too long for their tastes and have started using MOGAI (Marginalized Orientations, Gender Identities, and Intersex) instead.

Marginalized Orientations, Gender Identities, Intersex and...

Spoiler: and...

Oh wait, that's MOGWAI! My bad.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

Marginalized Orientations, Gender Identities, Intersex and...

Spoiler: and...

Oh wait, that's MOGWAI! My bad.

I will never look at MOGAI the same way ever again...

 

[username sucks]

In all seriousness, you've created a very difficult task for yourself. Perhaps an impossible one. I agree with those that have criticized the bias of the thread itself; it actually tends to EXCLUDE straight people simply because of the way the title is worded. Many straight folks might not enter into a "gay topic" like this one to bother voting because the topic doesn't feel like "it's for them". Of course, fear and hatred will keep out a portion as well.

There is no commonly accepted range for the proportion of homosexuals in any given population.

As I said above, I know that the question is basically impossible to answer. Also, I realized that the poll would be biased. I didn't intend for it to do that, but I saw no way around it.

Still, did I really go so far as to make straight people feel excluded? That was never my intention. Please tell me how I can improve apon that.

 

[lacktheknack]

While most categorizers would put me in a very specific thirty-word pigeonhole in the Asexual compartment, I'm just going with "Straight But Uninterested" and selecting "No".

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

I grew up in the Florida Keys and the LBGT population there and in parts of Miami is higher than many other places so I was exposed to it more than average people probably have been. That being said, my guesstimate for LGBT is around 5-15% depending on various factors. Some folks may not know where they fall in the orientation scale as society is still very hard on people who don't fit the normal. There won't be a hard number, and not many places like my hometown and surrounding area are as accepting (and even then we had bigoted asswipes living there) of people with different orientations. I had a friend who flip-flopped between gay and straight, refused to identify as Bi, ever, and finally settled on straight but I think that was partly due to his lack of self-confidence than his actual sexual orientation.
I don't mean to diminish anyone's identification, just that many years of experience have taught me that sometimes people don't even know what they are, no matter how long they've been around. So yeah 5-15% is a decent margin and probably about right somewhere in there.
EDIT: Also wanted to just say I'm straight btw, never had any identity issues or anything like that but plenty of gay/lesbian and trans friendships. I've never had any issues with anyone for their identity.