Minority?

[infinity706]

I really have to wonder if, once you add in the bisexuals, whether GLBT people are an actual minority of the population. Even here in the Bible Belt, a solid majority of the under 50 people I know well enough to inquire enjoy same sex action, regardless of religion, policial views, race, gender, or anything else. It seems like more a small minority that would consider moving in with a same sex partner and having a publically visible relationship in such a hateful environment. Of course, that might also be a big part of the general population's gay vs straight with very little mention of bisexual. Afterall, almost no one moves in with a male and a female sexual partner at the same time. (or in their life in most cases)

That doesn't even consider how many people I know have same sex partners that don't think twice about making homophobic comments in front of bigots and then making fun of said bigot after they leave. That's the really interesting part of the whole "gay rights" battle to me. Of course, considering sexual orientation is an invisible characteristic, it could easily be more that most GLBT people have little interest in an official, public same sex relationship than some straight majority crushing the minority. Afterall, there's just not a lot of pressing need to go fight for some right that you don't intend to use anytime soon. At least for the younger generation, anyway, it's also pretty clear they'll have a shot at same sex marriage at some point in their lifetime even if they do nothing besides sit back and let the rest of the country fight it out.

 

[Chrissi]

I really have to wonder if, once you add in the bisexuals, whether GLBT people are an actual minority of the population. Even here in the Bible Belt, a solid majority of the under 50 people I know well enough to inquire enjoy same sex action, regardless of religion, policial views, race, gender, or anything else. It seems like more a small minority that would consider moving in with a same sex partner and having a publically visible relationship in such a hateful environment. Of course, that might also be a big part of the general population's gay vs straight with very little mention of bisexual. Afterall, almost no one moves in with a male and a female sexual partner at the same time. (or in their life in most cases)

That doesn't even consider how many people I know have same sex partners that don't think twice about making homophobic comments in front of bigots and then making fun of said bigot after they leave. That's the really interesting part of the whole "gay rights" battle to me. Of course, considering sexual orientation is an invisible characteristic, it could easily be more that most GLBT people have little interest in an official, public same sex relationship than some straight majority crushing the minority. Afterall, there's just not a lot of pressing need to go fight for some right that you don't intend to use anytime soon. At least for the younger generation, anyway, it's also pretty clear they'll have a shot at same sex marriage at some point in their lifetime even if they do nothing besides sit back and let the rest of the country fight it out.

Perhaps that what may be influencing your sample. Of the people you feel most close to, those may have a certain orientation.

I would say the same with me, that most of my closest and longest and dearest friends are all gay, but I would attribute that to who I am and who I associate with, and not as a representative cross section of the general population.
Were I to guess, I would have to agree somewhat with the numbers I have seen mentioned many times over the years about percentages, and wouldn't even be surprised if those numbers perhaps estimate a larger population of LBGT, then there is in fact.

I know you are leaning more toward bisexuality, and perhaps you are more correct there, but don't the studies seem to indicate that a large portion of the population are bi (even if only situational)?

 

[Stella_Omega]

"Minority" is a political construct, meaning "those who suffer the rules made about them without their input."

 

[Carnevil9]

"Minority" is a political construct, meaning "those who suffer the rules made about them without their input."

You mean like the Republicans in the Senate?

 

[infinity706]

Perhaps that what may be influencing your sample. Of the people you feel most close to, those may have a certain orientation.

I would say the same with me, that most of my closest and longest and dearest friends are all gay, but I would attribute that to who I am and who I associate with, and not as a representative cross section of the general population.
Were I to guess, I would have to agree somewhat with the numbers I have seen mentioned many times over the years about percentages, and wouldn't even be surprised if those numbers perhaps estimate a larger population of LBGT, then there is in fact.

I know you are leaning more toward bisexuality, and perhaps you are more correct there, but don't the studies seem to indicate that a large portion of the population are bi (even if only situational)?

I know the gay/lesbian population is small. A massive chunk of the students I went to school with and the majority of my under 50 co-workers like some same sex action, though, and don't exactly hide it from likeminded people. (I've had far more co-workers than the sample size of most studies) I'm not saying just my bestest friends ever are bi and I highly doubt the Bible Belt has an abnormally high percentage of less than straight people.

As for studies, though, it depends on what type you're talking about. If you're talking about physical response to porn, the there's a lot of bi people. When it's self reporting, the percentage is small. Of course, that could be partially because people don't usually even get the whole bi concept and consider it someone that's equally attracted to both and would have a live in romantic relationship with both. It's like a gay club I went to. When I actually asked if any of the guys would have sex with a women under any circumstances, nearly every single one say yes, if she was hot enough and easy enough.