Just 3.5% of the US population are gay (poll, state, million)

[All American NYC]

I always thought they exaggerate their numbers. So 96.5% are not.

The data was obtained over a six-month period. Interestingly, the result of 3.5 percent was essentially consistent from state to state.
In fact, every state in the nation (except D.C.) came within two percentage points of that national average.

[pknopp]

I've never really understood why the percentages were important to start with.

[urbanlife78]

Man you are really on the gay bash roll today for some reason. Does this 3.5% include those that haven't come out yet? I doubt if you are a closet gay that you would admit to a poll you are gay.

Actually is this about your hatred towards all gays or just gay men? Typically I find men have an issue with gay men because it forces them to question their own sexuality.

[hammertime33]

That 3.5% of people openly identify as gay is right in line with what I would expect. I bet the number of people who actually are gay is a little bit higher though - there are plenty of closet cases who are gay yet are too terrified to admit it.

[dsjj251]

Originally Posted by pknopp

I've never really understood why the percentages were important to start with.

the smaller the population, the less it matters to them.

[Art123]

Liberty and Justice for all...

Or 96.5% is cool. Close enough.

[ovcatto]

Originally Posted by All American NYC

I always thought they exaggerate their numbers. So 96.5% are not.

Great now you can calm down about the Great Gay Peril.

[bolehboleh]

That's a higher percentage than Jews or Muslims in the country. Does that mean we should take away the rights of Jews or Muslims to marry or practice their religions?

[hammertime33]

Originally Posted by All American NYC

I always thought they exaggerate their numbers. So 96.5% are not.

and 98% aren't Jewish
and 98% aren't Mormon
and 97% aren't redheaded
and 98% aren't Native American

What's your point?

[TriMT7]

So....we can surmise there's about 12-15 million-ish people who actually admit to being gay or lesbian.

No big deal, right?

Heck, Asians are only 5% of the population (less if you don't count people who are "fully Asian")... so I think we can act with impunity against them as well.