Study: U.S. has 4M gay adults; 1.7 pct. of populace

[Dos Equis]

Sounds about right (might be even less).  Amazing that so much of our public policy is being driven by such a small percentage of the population.

Study: U.S. has 4M gay adults; 1.7 pct. of populace
By Associated Press
POSTED: 05:09 a.m. HST, Apr 07, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO » A California demographer has released a best guess of how many gay men and lesbians there are in the U.S.

Gary Gates puts the figure at 4 million adults, representing 1.7 percent of the 18-and-over population.

That's much lower than the 3 to 5 percent that has been the conventional wisdom in the last two decades, based on other isolated studies. It's also a fraction of the figure put out by Alfred Kinsey, who said in the 1940s that 10 percent of the men he surveyed were "predominantly homosexual."

Gates has advised the Census Bureau. He's a demographer-in-residence at the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles.

He derived his results from five studies that asked subjects about their sexual orientations.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/119403244.html

[Soul Crusher]

1.7% far too many.   

[kcballer]

interesting.  Fits with the Genetic trait argument.  

I've always thought it was a minority and brought about as either a form of natural population control, as we see it in other species, or maybe just a genetic anomaly.  Kind of like someone born without eyes.  

That sounds harsh but we are all have differences based on our genes.  

[240 is Back]

who cares if a person like D or P.  Really. 

[Dos Equis]

interesting.  Fits with the Genetic trait argument.  

How so?  Nothing in that article talks about genetics. 

[kcballer]

How so?  Nothing in that article talks about genetics. 

% of population.  A genetic trait like homosexuality wouldn't express itself in a large % due to the species own self interest in preservation.

[Straw Man]

Sounds about right (might be even less).  Amazing that so much of our public policy is being driven by such a small percentage of the population.

other than stuff that pertains directly to them (i.e. equal rights that all other human beings in this country have) what other part of our public policy is being driven by them?

[Dos Equis]

% of population.  A genetic trait like homosexuality wouldn't express itself in a large % due to the species own self interest in preservation.

Got it.  Thanks.

[kcballer]

other than stuff that pertains directly to them (i.e. equal rights that all other human beings in this country have) what other part of our public policy is being driven by them?

Cue tony and his bathroom fantasy 

[kcballer]

Got it.  Thanks.

We're not all meant to breed.  How many times have you heard of someone who just 'couldn't get pregnant' or had a defective uterus or a male with too low a sperm count?  Countless.  Without increasing advances in science none of those people would be able to have children.  We've found a way to circumnavigate natures fail safes - genetic traits designed to keep us in check.

[Dos Equis]

We're not all meant to breed.  How many times have you heard of someone who just 'couldn't get pregnant' or had a defective uterus or a male with too low a sperm count?  Countless.  Without increasing advances in science none of those people would be able to have children.  We've found a way to circumnavigate natures fail safes - genetic traits designed to keep us in check.

I disagree.  Anytime someone has a fertility problem, that is abnormal.  The ability to procreate is normal.  Not everyone chooses to have kids, but the ability to do so is what makes the world go round. 

[kcballer]

I disagree.  Anytime someone has a fertility problem, that is abnormal.  The ability to procreate is normal.  Not everyone chooses to have kids, but the ability to do so is what makes the world go round. 

It is abnormal and it's only been circumvented by scientific advances in that field.  Not everyone was meant to breed, nor capable of breeding, genetic selection is alive and well. 

[Dos Equis]

It is abnormal and it's only been circumvented by scientific advances in that field.  Not everyone was meant to breed, nor capable of breeding, genetic selection is alive and well. 

What do you mean by this?  You think everyone who has fertility problems is not supposed to have kids?

[kcballer]

What do you mean by this?  You think everyone who has fertility problems is not supposed to have kids?

On a purely genetic level yes.  Humans haven't always had the ability to go see a doctor or take a pill to have the hormones needed to get pregnant.  That is natures way of saying something is not right here, but for reasons we all understand we have basically refused to listen and gone about it in our own way - through the continuing study and evolution of fertility health care. 

[kcballer]

I'm interested in what you think is the reason why some people can not have children without medical help BB. 

[Dos Equis]

On a purely genetic level yes.  Humans haven't always had the ability to go see a doctor or take a pill to have the hormones needed to get pregnant.  That is natures way of saying something is not right here, but for reasons we all understand we have basically refused to listen and gone about it in our own way - through the continuing study and evolution of fertility health care. 

What about the person who has fertility problems, undergoes extraordinary measures to get pregnant, is successful, and has a healthy child?  Doesn't this contradict your theory that nature didn't want that person to breed?  

[Dos Equis]

I'm interested in what you think is the reason why some people can not have children without medical help BB. 

I have no idea.  I would imagine there is some genetic component, rooted in something abnormal somewhere in that person's family tree.  But that's just a guess. 

[SAMSON123]

Sounds about right (might be even less).  Amazing that so much of our public policy is being driven by such a small percentage of the population.

Study: U.S. has 4M gay adults; 1.7 pct. of populace
By Associated Press
POSTED: 05:09 a.m. HST, Apr 07, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO » A California demographer has released a best guess of how many gay men and lesbians there are in the U.S.

Gary Gates puts the figure at 4 million adults, representing 1.7 percent of the 18-and-over population.

That's much lower than the 3 to 5 percent that has been the conventional wisdom in the last two decades, based on other isolated studies. It's also a fraction of the figure put out by Alfred Kinsey, who said in the 1940s that 10 percent of the men he surveyed were "predominantly homosexual."

Gates has advised the Census Bureau. He's a demographer-in-residence at the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles.

He derived his results from five studies that asked subjects about their sexual orientations.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/119403244.html

What the hell does this have to do with politics Bum? Or are you expressing your interest?

BTW...4 million queens...haha...there are probably that many in San Fransisco alone!!!!!

[kcballer]

What about the person who has fertility problems, undergoes extraordinary measures to get pregnant, is successful, and has a healthy child?  Doesn't this contradict your theory that nature didn't want that person to breed?  

Define extraordinary measures?  You mean like changes their lifestyle or something to that effect?  I would explain that as, at the time she was trying her body was not able or ready to produce.  It had the potential but something was not right, when a change i.e. lifestyle was made the potential was realized.  

[Dos Equis]

What the hell does this have to do with politics Bum? Or are you expressing your interest?

BTW...4 million queens...haha...there are probably that many in San Fransisco alone!!!!!

Ah shaddap SamsonJag.   

[Dos Equis]

Define extraordinary measures?  You mean like changes their lifestyle or something to that effect?  I would explain that as, at the time she was trying her body was not able or ready to produce.  It had the potential but something was not right, when a change i.e. lifestyle was made the potential was realized.  

Extraordinary measures = drugs and implanting fertilized eggs in the uterus. 

[kcballer]

Extraordinary measures = drugs and implanting fertilized eggs in the uterus. 

Well that's science circumventing nature.  Maybe they have a healthy child but they weren't suppose to according the laws of nature. 

[Hugo Chavez]

Sounds about right (might be even less).  Amazing that so much of our public policy is being driven by such a small percentage of the population.

LOL "Amazing that so much of our public policy is being driven by..." 

Are you kidding BB?  Can you tell us all how a large portion of public policy is driven by homosexuals?  In the massive mountains of local, state and federal laws being passed over recent years, could you please show me where "homos" are guiding or ruling the direction of these?  lolol.... 

[Dos Equis]

Well that's science circumventing nature.  Maybe they have a healthy child but they weren't suppose to according the laws of nature. 

I don't see that.  The laws of nature say we procreate. 

[Dos Equis]

LOL "Amazing that so much of our public policy is being driven by..."  

Are you kidding BB?  Can you tell us all how a large portion of public policy is driven by homosexuals?  In the massive mountains of local, state and federal laws being passed over recent years, could you please show me where "homos" are guiding or ruling the direction of these?  lolol....  

Are you serious?  Let's take my state.  For example:

1.  Sexual orientation is a protected class in our employment law.    

2.  Sexual orientation is part of our housing discrimination law.

3.  Sexual orientation and "gender identity" are part of our hate crimes law.  

4.  Our reciprocal beneficiaries laws were targeted to help homosexuals.

5.  In about a month, "gender identity" will be part of our employment law as part of the definition of "sex."    

6.  We had a vote on same-sex marriage and, for the time being, the public voted to preserve traditional marriage (by about a 70 percent margin).  

7.  A bill to repeal the public's vote on same-sex marriage is introduced into the legislate every year (never moves).

8.  Civil unions were a huge issue and passed this year.  Numerous hearings, rallies that included thousands of people at the state capital, numerous editorials, etc., etc.    

9.  There is a movement to try and force pastors and religious institutions to perform civil unions, despite religious objections.  

10.  Our head football coach (the highest paid state employee) was almost fired for telling a bad joke (calling a Notre Dame dance a "f@ggot dance").  He had to forfeit ten percent of his pay and do public service service announcements, including announcements on the big screen at Aloha Stadium.  His pay forfeiture was used to hire homosexual personnel, at a time when classes are being cut due to funding.  

I could give you many other examples, and many examples in other states.  Even the federal government is greatly affected, with challenges to DOMA and the repeal of DADT.