News
2006-10-11
Survey: 83% of
self-identified gays are out
Survey: Most LGBT
Americans are out
As gays and
lesbians celebrate another National Coming Out Day on
As gays and
lesbians celebrate another National Coming Out Day on
Wednesday, a new survey reports seven out of 10 straight
adults in the United States say they know someone who
is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. The
nationwide online survey of 2,932 U.S. adults also found
that 83% of those who self-identify as gay or lesbian
consider themselves out.
When LGBT
respondents were asked if they considered themselves open
about their sexual orientation, 92% said they are out
to their close friends, and 78% said they are out to
their parents. A majority also indicated they are out
to other people in their lives, including grandparents,
cousins, acquaintances and casual friends, and coworkers and
colleagues.
“If seven
out of 10 heterosexuals know someone who is GLBT, then many
gays and lesbians are making their identity apparent as a
natural part of their lives—just like their
age, height, hair color, or personality,” said
Mark Shields, director of the Human Rights Campaign’s
National Coming Out Project. “For most people,
coming out or opening up to someone starts with a
conversation. And for those interested in fostering strong,
deep relationships with their friends and family, living
openly often allows for closer relationships with the
people they care about most.”
Still, more than
half of those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or
transgender said that concern about being the victim of a
hate crime remains a deterrent to coming out. Other
concerns that LGBT adults cite as to why a person
might not come out include rejection by their families
and friends and the threat of losing their jobs.
The survey was
conducted September 7–14 by Harris Interactive, a
worldwide market research and consulting firm, in
conjunction with Witeck-Combs Communications Inc., a
strategic public relations and marketing
communications firm with special expertise in the LGBT
market. (The Advocate)
Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter.
Page 1 of 1