But relying on self-identification is problematic and might impede research. For example, in the 2008 General Social Survey, only 2.2% of men identified themselves as gay and 0.7% as bisexual, despite the fact that about 10% of men reported same-sex sexual behavior as adults. Most nonwhite men appear to be far less likely to self-identify as gay or bisexual than do white men, despite reporting that they have sex with men.
Data on the proportion of transgendered individuals are based almost exclusively on those who have sought medical intervention, whether instigated by their parents in their youth or by themselves as adults, according to the report.
A full prepublication copy of the report is available online.
The IOM Board on the Health of Select Populations, which was responsible for the report, indicated no financial disclosures; however, several of the participants had associations with or were employed by organizations that might benefit by increased monies for LGBT research, either from direct client service or increased grant funding.