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Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB)

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Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) is a sub-category of: Directory

The 2001 National Statistics Census did not explicitly ask people about their sexuality. However same sex couples could be identified to some extent through them identifying themselves as partners. The extent that the data has much significance in identifying the size of Gay and Lesbian communities has been widely scrutinised by LGB organisations. One LGB organisation claims that they have more single sex couples on their mailing list than are classified as same sex couples by the Census. This brings into doubt the validity of using this data even for cohabiting same sex couples. As an indicator of the size of the Lesbian and Gay community it is even more problematically given the large proportions that live on their own or as part of a diverse range of household structures.

How many Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people are there in Bradford?

As the National Census has not asked people to identify their sexual orientation, although the 2001 Census did give Lesbian and Gay couples the opportunity to register the fact that they live together, answering the question of how many Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) people there are in the Bradford district is difficult.

The figure often bandied about by LGB people, and some professionals, is that one in ten people are LGB. This figure is based on some research that was done by Kinsey in the United States in the 1950s. More recent figures from large-scale national lifestyle surveys, which are arguably more empirically sound, suggest that 4% of men and 3.4% of women identify as Gay and Lesbian (making 7.4% in total). The point needs to be made that other people who are Lesbian or Gay may not have felt comfortable to disclose this information when surveyed, so it may well be understated. Furthermore, these figures do not include those who identify as Bisexual, those who are questioning or unsure about their sexual orientation, or those who have experimented (sexually or in terms of relationships) with members of the same sex.

In terms of calculating the numbers of LGB people in sub-populations, such as LGB youth or Asian and Black LGB people, one method is to divide the number of young people and Asian and Black people in the district by 7.4%. However, as noted, this statistic is based on those who have declared their sexual orientation when surveyed. It can be argued that because of societal homophobia, internalised homophobia, and cultural/religious factors, the number of young people and Asian and Black people who identify as Lesbian or Gay may be considerably less. However, i n the absence of rigorous Census statistics on sexual orientation, these are the best figures we have.

Andy Mullen, Local Service Coordinator, Yorkshire MESMAC and member of the Communities of Interest Working Group

For further information on LGB communities in Bradford contact:

Bradford LGB Strategic Partnership

PO Box 267

Bradford

BD1 5XT

E mail: kathy@equitycentre.org.uk

Bradford LGB Network
Bradford Resource Centre,
17-21 Chapel Street
Bradford BD1 5DT
Tel: 01274 722206

CoI Plan & Links to Organisations that may have further data on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB):

Click on the following link for the Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Sexual Community framework plan 2006.

In 2001 a Gay Census was carried out. This provides some information on Gay and Lesbian communities at the national and regional level. This can be viewed at the following link: http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/G/gaycensus/index.htm

LGB Research

www.stonewall.org.uk

www.andymullen.com

www.lesbianinformationservice.org

HIV and Sexual Health

www.mesmac.co.uk

www.sigmaresearch.org.uk

www.tht.org.uk

Muslim LGB's

www.al-fatiha.net

LGB in Education Sector

www.schools-out.org.uk


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