01/28/2008
Flawed Poll Finds 1 in 100 Brits Describe Themselves as Gay
A new study carried out by The Office for National Statistics in Britain says that only 1 in 100 people describe themselves as gay. The dubious percentage was arrived at by a flawed canvassing process and polling difficulties, the Telegraph reports:
"In the survey, some people failed to understand the question and gave answers including 'female', 'normal', 'not active' and 'I am OK with my sexuality'. Some interviewers declined to ask the question for fear of giving offence. The Office for National Statistics, which carried out the poll of 4,000 people, admitted that its results were 'not a reliable estimate' of the homosexual population."
The operative now and in the future, however, appears to be, don't ask, don't tell: "[The ONS] said it would use the findings to develop a more accurate way of measuring. Ministers intend to introduce an annual count once the survey method has been improved. They say they need the information to plan public service provision more accurately. However, the question will not be asked in the next census in 2011, for fear that it might deter some people from returning their forms."
Just one in 100 tells researchers: I'm gay [telegraph]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 9:10 AM EST by Andy in Great Britain, News | Permalink
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Living Sheffield, the figure of 1 in a 100 seems to high....more like 1 in a 1000....very much feel like the 'only gay in the villiage'. ;)
Posted by: Evileuropean | Jan 28, 2008 9:50:53 AM
It is probably because everyone was watching Johnny Weir on the tele and missed the poll takers. Honestly, I say at least 40% would be more accurate.....
Posted by: Mary, Really Late Dowager Queen of the British Empire, Ireland, Empress of India, etc..... | Jan 28, 2008 11:29:43 AM
"Describe themselves as gay" is identity politics, very much removed from the reality of desire and sexual activity. Ask how many people have received oral or hand sex from someone of the same gender and see the percentage skyrocket. Where is the next Kinsey? And frankly, so what -- we exist, we are a minority, no matter how SMALL a minority we deserve equal rights under the law. Am I right, or am i right?
Posted by: Strepsi | Jan 28, 2008 11:30:42 AM
Absolutely, right, STREPSI. Too often we use the term "gay" for people who have absolutely no sense of a gay identity. They just like getting fucked up the ass.
Not drunk today, just vulgar.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jan 28, 2008 11:39:34 AM
i agree with the late dowager queen mary, i'd day about 50 percent is more like it
Posted by: the queen | Jan 28, 2008 11:40:14 AM
The Anglican bishops of sub-Saharan Africa (except that "God is love" weirdo Desmond Tutu) has determined that homosexuality is the white man's disease.
So, you Englishmen better start getting with the program. Bloody slackers.
Posted by: John | Jan 28, 2008 11:53:40 AM
Judging by the amount of teenagers shagging each other when I attended school there, I'd have to say nearly half the Brits I went to school with started out experimenting/gay and turned 'straight' later on in life.
Posted by: beergoggles | Jan 28, 2008 7:02:34 PM