What Percentage of People are Gay or Bi?

[Danno 1,228]

I guess those who scoffed at the 10% figure were more right than they, even knew.

UK gay, lesbian and bisexual population revealed

Northern Ireland has the lowest percent of gay, lesbian or bisexual people, according to the poll

Almost three-quarters of a million UK adults say they are gay, lesbian or bisexual - equivalent to 1.5% of the population, a survey suggests.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says 480,000 (1%) consider themselves gay or lesbian, and 245,000 (0.5%) bisexual.

The ONS received 450,000 responses in its new Integrated Household Survey.

The survey provides the biggest pool of social data in the UK after the Census, ONS says.

London had the highest percentage of those polled who identified as gay, Lesbian or bisexual and Northern Ireland lowest.

People aged 16 and over were questioned about their self-perceived sexual identity, and asked to respond with one of four options: heterosexual/straight, gay/lesbian, bisexual or other.

The data showed that 95% said they were heterosexual, 1% gay or lesbian, 0.5% bisexual, 0.5% other, and the remaining 3% either did not know or did not answer.

The survey is based on questions from six current household surveys. The sexual identity question was tested on a number of ONS surveys in 2008 and added on the IHS in 2009.

All the survey's statistics are considered experimental, or in a testing phase, as they have not yet been assessed by the UK Statistics Authority.

The gay equality charity Stonewall welcomed the release of the figures but suggested the real figure for people who were gay, lesbian or bisexual could be higher.

Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said: "This is is the first time that people were asked and data collection happened on doorsteps or over the phone, which may deter people from giving accurate responses - particularly if someone isn't openly gay at home."

Stonewall worked with 600 major employers and their experience had shown that these statistics increased when people were regularly asked about sexual orientation as part of general monitoring information.

"We'd expect to see these figures increase over time as people's confidence in the survey grows and sexual orientation becomes a routine part of data collection," he said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11398629

[spookyturtle 9,466]

What is the percentage of people who are obsessed with people who are gay?

[trillium13 84]

0.5% other?

[Ban Hammer 13,656]

0.5% other?

exactly what i was wondering too. maybe farm animals are "other"

[^_^ 5,021]

What is the percentage of people who are obsessed with people who are gay?

Danno is just curious

[Gemmie 142]

I take issue with any study about stuff like this as it's something that carries a stigma. I can guarantee you that more than 1.5% of the UK is gay, otherwise I've met most of them just in the South West.

Ireland is notoriously religious, so I'm not surprised that it has a low figure.

[fozzie 41]

I take issue with any study about stuff like this as it's something that carries a stigma. I can guarantee you that more than 1.5% of the UK is gay, otherwise I've met most of them just in the South West.

Ireland is notoriously religious, so I'm not surprised that it has a low figure.

The UK isnt that open about this subject. I am certain the percentage is higher but the British are a more private people that don't broadcast themselves to the world at every available opportunity (except for the idiots that go on shows like big brother).

[Gemmie 142]

They don't have to be over-exaggerated, drama-seeking people to be considered open. I actually think the UK is incredibly comfortable with different sexualities.

I've lost count of the amount of times I've heard a discussion of gay rights, seen protests, and heard people come out with disclosures about homophobia ("I don't mind gay people...") here in the US.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I'm more of a hetero lesbo.

[HAL 9000 96]

I take issue with any study about stuff like this as it's something that carries a stigma. I can guarantee you that more than 1.5% of the UK is gay, otherwise I've met most of them just in the South West.

Ireland is notoriously religious, so I'm not surprised that it has a low figure.

Or maybe the Irish aren't reporting it as much?

[alienlovechild 75]

I guess those who scoffed at the 10% figure were more right than they, even knew.

Almost three-quarters of a million UK adults say they are gay, lesbian or bisexual - equivalent to 1.5% of the population, a survey suggests.

Like other advocacy groups, gay groups tend to grossly exaggerate their numbers. The idea there's far larger subset still hiding in closets even in anonymous polls is far fetched.

[Gemmie 142]

Or maybe the Irish aren't reporting it as much?

That's what I mean. I'm friends with two Irish people, one of them is gay and the other is engaged at 21 years old, and both of them hide this because of religious families. I'm not trying to generalise an entire country here, but as I said the Irish are known for having a strong Catholic background.

[^_^ 5,021]

That's what I mean. I'm friends with two Irish people, one of them is gay and the other is engaged at 21 years old, and both of them hide this because of religious families. I'm not trying to generalise an entire country here, but as I said the Irish are known for having a strong Catholic background.

Both of them are gay?

[HAL 9000 96]

That's what I mean. I'm friends with two Irish people, one of them is gay and the other is engaged at 21 years old, and both of them hide this because of religious families. I'm not trying to generalise an entire country here, but as I said the Irish are known for having a strong Catholic background.

Yup...

Besides... wth is wrong with people obsessed with how many gays there are in any determinate location?

[fozzie 41]

They don't have to be over-exaggerated, drama-seeking people to be considered open. I actually think the UK is incredibly comfortable with different sexualities.

I've lost count of the amount of times I've heard a discussion of gay rights, seen protests, and heard people come out with disclosures about homophobia ("I don't mind gay people...") here in the US.

I would agree that the UK is far more comfortable about sexuality than the US. I think its more understated and its more of an it's "none of your business' attitude that would perhaps skew the results of a door to door or phone survey rather than shame or fear.