LGBT Facts and Statistics

Updated/Revised Date: 17th Jul 2022
Author: Sexual Diversity | Contact: SexualDiversity.org
Additional References: LGBT Facts and Statistics Publications

Synopsis: Facts, statistics, surveys, and demographic data analysis relating to LGBT demographics from reliable worldwide sources and authoritative community organizations.

Definition

LGBT Demographics

Demography is the statistical study of populations, especially human beings. Demographic analysis studies a population based on age, race, and sex. Demographic data refers to statistical socioeconomic information, including employment, education, income, marriage, birth and death rates, etc. Obtaining precise numbers on the demographics of sexuality and sexual orientation is problematic for various reasons, including the nature of the research questions. Most studies on sexuality rely on self-reported data, and survey type, questions, and setting may affect the respondents' answers.

Main Section

Some Quick Figures:

• 59% of Americans support the equal right to marry for same-sex couples, according to a 2014 Washington Post-ABC News poll.
• There are roughly 9 million LGBT people in the US and more than 650,000 same-sex couples.
• 19% of same-sex couples are raising children according to the US Census Bureau's 2011 American Community Survey.
• There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; there are no state laws in 29 states that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, and in 32 states that do so based on gender identity.
• Gay people make up between 1 to 4% of the population in most U.S. cities - but are more concentrated in metropolitan areas.

Highest LGBT Concentration by Major U.S. Metropolitan City:

• Seattle, WA: 12.9%
• Atlanta, GA: 12.8%
• San Francisco, CA: 15.4%

Facts About Gay and Lesbian Youth Suicide:

• 30% of Gay youth attempt suicide near the age of 15.
• Suicide is the leading cause of death among Gay and Lesbian youth nationally.
• Gays and Lesbians are two to six times more likely to suicide than Heterosexuals.
• Almost half of the Gay and Lesbian teens state they have attempted suicide more than once.
• It has been conservatively estimated the 1,500 Gay and Lesbian youth commit suicide every year.

LGBT Youth:

• 20% of homeless youth are LGBT. In comparison, the general youth population is only 10% LGBT.
• LGBT homeless youth commit suicide at higher rates (62%) than heterosexual homeless youth (29%)
• LGBT youth are roughly 7.4 times more likely to experience acts of sexual violence than heterosexual homeless youth
• While homeless youth typically experience severe family conflict as the primary reason for their homelessness, LGBT youth are twice as likely to experience sexual abuse before the age of 12.
• LGBT youth, once homeless, are at higher risk for victimization, mental health problems, and unsafe sexual practices.
• 58.7% of LGBT homeless youth have been sexually victimized compared to 33.4% of heterosexual homeless youth.

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