Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012
News for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Physicians
Report: 3.4 percent of people in U.S. identify as GLBT
The largest study ever aimed at counting the nation's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) individuals estimates that 3.4 percent of the population identify as GLBT. The study, based on interviews with more than 121,000 people across the United States, may also break down some common stereotypes about who makes up the 3.4 percent.
"If you spend a lot of time watching network television, you would think most LGBT people are rich white men who live in big cities. These data suggest the GLBT community reflects more of the diversity in the U.S. population," Gary Gates of the Williams Institute at UCLA, a lead author of the report, told USA Today.
In fact, according to the study, 4.6 percent of blacks, 4.3 percent of Asians, 4 percent of Hispanics and 3.2 percent of whites identify as GLBT. GLBT identification is highest among those with some college, at 4 percent. Among ages 18-29, 8.3 percent of women versus 4.6 percent of men identify as GLBT.
And while only 2.8 percent of those who earn more than $60,000 per year identify as GLBT, 5 percent who earn less than $24,000 per year identify as such.
This study serves as a reminder that GLBT Americans can come in all shapes and sizes, making it important for clinicians to be prepared to care for this population. The AMA offers resources to help you create a GLBT-friendly practice.
Foster kids do equally well when adopted by gay, lesbian or heterosexual parents
High-risk children adopted by heterosexual parents performed as well as those adopted by gay or lesbian parents, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.
Psychologists looked at 82 high-risk children adopted in Los Angeles County, 60 of whom were placed with heterosexual parents and 22 of whom were placed with gay or lesbian parents. They discovered there were very few differences among the children during the two-year post-placement study period. Children in both home types experienced substantial gains in their cognitive development and stability in their levels of behavior problems.
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