Geography of the LGBT Population
Perhaps more than any other demographic group, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population presents challenges associated with interpreting demographic patterns in relation to what is commonly referred to as “the closet.” Regardless of w
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Gary J. Gates
Introduction Perhaps more than any other demographic group, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population presents challenges associated with interpreting demographic patterns in relation to what is commonly referred to as “the closet.” Regardless of whether this group is measured based on sexual orientation identity, sexual behavior, or sexual attraction, the ongoing social stigma directed toward the LGBT population means that some will be reluctant to identify as LGBT or acknowledge same-sex behaviors or attractions for fear of disclosure and the perceived negative outcomes associated with it. As a result, LGBT demographic analyses must always acknowledge that the patterns apply to the “visible” LGBT population and that there may be differences between that group and those who chose not to disclose. This challenge is perhaps no more evident than in assessments of the geographic distribution of the LGBT population. With most demographic groups, it seems reasonable to interpret geographic distributions as an indication of where people choose to live. But for the LGBT population, geographic distributions may be as much
about where people choose to disclose as they are about choice of location. Unfortunately, U.S. national data that allow for an exploration of cross-state variation in the location patterns of the LGBT community do not exist. However, since 1990, Decennial Census data have provided fairly detailed information about same-sex couples and where they live. This chapter will explore changes in the geographic distribution of same-sex couples over time, as well as consider differences in geographic patterns by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and childrearing. In addition to the issue of visibility and disclosure, it is important to remember that observed patterns in these analyses may be subject to bias because they only reflect the demographic characteristics of those in cohabiting relationships with a same-sex partner. As a result, they may not provide much insight into the geography of the transgender population or the bisexual population, many of whom may have a different-sex partner. While same-sex couples may offer a better proxy for assessing characteristics of the gay and lesbian population, Carpenter and Gates (2008) find that more than half of gay men and a third of lesbians are not in a cohabiting relationship. Therefore, bias is still a potential problem.
G.J. Gates (*) The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, Los Angeles, CA, USA e-mail: [email protected] A.K. Baumle (ed.), International Handbook on the Demography of Sexuality, International Handbooks of Population 5, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-5512-3_12, © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
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Data and Methodology
along with the original data documented in the Census 2010 SF-1 files to develop adjusted estimates at lower levels of geography.
Identifying Same-Sex Couples in Census Bureau Data Adjustment Procedure In Census 2010, same-sex couples are identified in households where
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