Gays and Lesbians
Report Higher Blog Use

Fifty-one percent of gay and lesbian adults who use the Internet regularly read blogs, while just 36% of heterosexuals do, according to a Harris Interactive and Witeck-Combs Communications poll conducted in March. A nationwide survey of 2,733 adults shows that 27% of LGBT Web users have posted a comment on a blog in the last month, in contrast with 13% of heterosexuals. Additionally, 21% of gays and lesbians said they written their own blog in the last month, compared with 7% of their straight counterparts.

Nearly one in five LGBT responders said that they feel more positive towards ads on blogs as opposed to 8% of heterosexual adults. That shows a 2% drop among gays from a similar survey done in November 2006.

"Studies consistently show that gays and lesbians are leaders in online usage, are very keen to find relevant and timely information, and feel more strongly about staying on top of latest trends," Wes Combs, president of Witeck-Combs Communications, said in a press release on Monday. "Blogs are fast shaping the media landscape, and it is one medium that marketers and advertisers can't afford to ignore, especially when it comes to reaching gay and lesbian influencers, voters, and consumers."

As far as blog subject matter, 28% of LGBT respondents said that they read news blogs, 26% read entertainment blogs, and 23% follow political blogs. In comparison, 19% of heterosexual Web users read news sites, 11% read entertainment blogs, and 14% read political blogs. (The Advocate)