Only 8% of HS students identify as bisexual or gay, does this seem right to you?

[Anonymous]

I think it's inaccurate (too low) and the number will steadily begin to increase as society becomes more open and accepting, similar to what has happened with the so-called "rise" in transgenderism that was likely always there, but not acted upon for fear of being an outcast, etc.

[Anonymous]

That seems low to me, but that’s probably due to my own perception of my child’s circle of friends. She is lesbian, and has a wide group of friends in the art community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I wouldn’t say it’s a “classic” rite of passage.

Sure it is! Sappho, for example. It doesn't get more classic than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's inaccurate (too low) and the number will steadily begin to increase as society becomes more open and accepting, similar to what has happened with the so-called "rise" in transgenderism that was likely always there, but not acted upon for fear of being an outcast, etc.

Dunno. There isn't a rise of older people coming out as transgenders unlike with greater numbers coming out as gay and lesbians when they became more accepted.

People's sexuality are not really that fluid. For a long time it was accepted that between 5-10% of the population were homosexuals and I haven't seen that changing at all despite greater acceptance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I think in conservative parts of America-places like the bible belt it is much lower because people are too afraid to admit or even face it, but in more liberal areas-higher because kids feel more free to be who they are.

BS. Even those in more conservative areas eventually come out. no one stays closeted their whole life.

I call BS on this, actually. Plenty of people don't come out or, if so, they do it much later in life.

Having come from a very conservative area, I denied being gay when people outright asked me. I was afraid, for both my safety and my family's reputation.

Living here, I do not have that fear. And isn't this about how people identify through a survey? They may not always admit they're gay in a survey, and it would also depend on how the survey worded the questions. Years ago DW and I participated in a census survey that tried to get an idea of how they should word same sex marriage on the census to get an idea of how many gay and lesbian folks are married. This was before same sex marriage was federally legalized. Though many of the women in the focus group considered their partner their spouse, and though many had had weddings (not legal), they still wouldn't identify as married since it wasn't legal.

Can you give an example of situation when people ask you about this and under what circumstances? I am in my late 40s. I've lived in different countries, different states, conservatives and uber liberals. No one, under any circumstances ever asked me about my sexual orientation. Ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I think in conservative parts of America-places like the bible belt it is much lower because people are too afraid to admit or even face it, but in more liberal areas-higher because kids feel more free to be who they are.

BS. Even those in more conservative areas eventually come out. no one stays closeted their whole life.

I call BS on this, actually. Plenty of people don't come out or, if so, they do it much later in life.

Having come from a very conservative area, I denied being gay when people outright asked me. I was afraid, for both my safety and my family's reputation.

Living here, I do not have that fear. And isn't this about how people identify through a survey? They may not always admit they're gay in a survey, and it would also depend on how the survey worded the questions. Years ago DW and I participated in a census survey that tried to get an idea of how they should word same sex marriage on the census to get an idea of how many gay and lesbian folks are married. This was before same sex marriage was federally legalized. Though many of the women in the focus group considered their partner their spouse, and though many had had weddings (not legal), they still wouldn't identify as married since it wasn't legal.

Can you give an example of situation when people ask you about this and under what circumstances? I am in my late 40s. I've lived in different countries, different states, conservatives and uber liberals. No one, under any circumstances ever asked me about my sexual orientation. Ever.

DP. My teen DS isn't into sports and is kind of lanky. He has been asked MANY times by other kids if he's gay. He tells them no and they have then asked his friends. Another example is the survey that this thread is about. Generally, people won't admit on surveys to being gay if they feel they aren't in an accepting environment, even if the survey says it's anonymous.