The number of same-sex couples in the U. S. has grown 30 percent in the last five years, claims a new report from the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy (PDF link). The researchers speculate that “as stigma associated with same-sex partnering and homosexuality in general decreases, more same-sex couples are willing to identify themselves as such on government surveys.”
The study looks at data from the 2005 American Community Survey (ACS) and gives us the first chance to take a fresh look at GLB demographics since the 2000 Census. Key findings:
- There are an estimated 8.8 million gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) adults in the U.S.
- Most of the states with the largest percentage increase in the number of same-sex couples were in the Midwest: Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio. Colorado and New Hampshire round out the top ten.
- California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Illinois (and the District of Columbia) are the states with the largest GLB populations. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Boston have the largest GLB populations among metropolitan areas.
- The District of Columbia, New Hampshire, Washington, Massachusetts, and Maine have the largest percentage of the adult population who are GLB. San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Portland (OR), and Tampa are the top five among metropolitan areas.
The study also uncovered some interesting political points:
- Same-sex couples are found in all Congressional districts. The 2005 ACS is the first survey to provide data regarding same-sex couples for current districts. Those with the highest number and percentage of GLB individuals tend to be more urban. California’s 8th district (San Francisco) ranks first in both categories.
- Six of the eight states with a 2006 ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage—Arizona, Colorado, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin—had increases in the number of same-sex couples above the national rate of 30 percent.
Gary Gates, the author of the study, notes “The size of the out gay electorate is above the national average in some of the most closely watched Congressional races in the upcoming election.” (Thanks to PinkNews.co.uk for the sighting and that quote.)
Vote, vote, vote.
