GLBT Population Undersurveyed

Social Stigma Prevents Truth

The largest single Gallup study on record of the distribution of the U.S. LGBT population reports that only 3.4% identify as LGBT.

This study tracked over 120,000 telephone interviewees between June 1 and September 30, 2012.  Participants were asked “Do you, personally identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender?”

How Could The Numbers Have Gone Down?

The reliable figures from the Centers for Disease Control put 1 in 10 as homosexual . If this is the case, how could the statistics have dropped?

Problem With Surveys

In the LGBTQ Nation’s article, “Gallup study reports that only 3.4% of Americans identify as LGBT,” 10/18/12, flaws are mentioned in this survey:

  • The estimate reflects those adult Americans who publicly identify themselves as part of the LGBT community when asked in a survey context.
  • Those “in the closet” were not recorded.
  • Social stigma prevents LGBT population from answering truthfully.

Other Miscalculations Noted in http://Why the Gallup Poll is Farcical and More Than 3.4 Percent of Americans Are LGBT/HUFFPOST GAY VOICES, 10/19/2012:

  • Survey methodology was awkward: Interviewees were asked if they were gay and how much money they made.
  • Reported that LGBT people have lower education and income than straight counterparts. These findings differ from previous market research.
  • Categories too confining for some who don’t identify as LGBT, yet are not straight.
  • Underrepresented figures further marginalize and make petty the efforts of GLBT people to fit into mainstream society.

Health Care Also Affected By Being In The Closet

Shame has also kept LGBT persons from divulging their sexual orientation, resulting in inferior health care. In http://A Call to Action to Bring LGBT Health Disparities out of the Closet/HUFFPOST HEALTH NEWS/10/15/2012, health disparities in the LGBT population are pointed out.

Too many LGBT patients are uncomfortable discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with their health-care providers for fear of judgment or discrimination.  Many of the doctors themselves are not trained to have these discussions with their GLBT patients.  Because of the reticence, LGBT patients do not have necessary prevention screenings or seek care until their illness or disease has advanced. So, the LGBT community suffers in a number of health indicators, including cancer, heart disease and depression.

BABY STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) published a landmark report in March 2011 entitled “The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding.” As a result, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (HHS) announced a key advancement – a timeline for implementing an IOM recommendation to integrate questions about sexual orientation and gender identity into HHS population health surveys.

The University of California Health System is planning on recording the sexual orientation and gender identity of its patients through their primary-care providers and transferring the information in the patients’ electronic health records.  Through a significant survey, UC Davis Health System found that the majority of LGBT individuals prefer sexual orientation and gender identity to be included in their medical records.

Equal Rights for LGBT Individuals

In order for LTBT individuals to have equal access to health care, legislative rights, they need to come out of the closet and be counted.  Fear of discrimination is keeping the LGBT community from gaining more ground, receiving benefits they deserve.  By being a minority whose numbers are dwindling ,while actually increasing, according to surveys, they will suffer.