Gay Families Growing
by Beth Shapiro

365Gay.com, New York Bureau 

April 25, 2006

(New York City) The number of gay and lesbian families across the country is growing at a fast pace a new study finds.

The survey, by Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications for OpusComm Group an LGBT marketing company, shows that 53 percent of female respondents were in relationships and 42 percent of males are partnered.

The largest proportion of those who are coupled have been together between 4 – 7 years

The study also found  21 percent of lesbians and 5 percent of gay men currently have a child living at home. In addition  two thirds of lesbian households said they plan on adding children to their family in the next three years while only a third of male couples plan on raising children.

The new statistics are in marked contrast to a similar study in 2002 that found only 15 percent of lesbians and 5 percent of gay men intended to have children.

Newhouse began studying LGBT families in 2001. This year's survey involved some 7,500 people.

In another surprise the new survey discovered that 97 percent of respondents said they “out” with more females than males being “out” to their families, friends and at work .

The survey found a large percentage of gays are employed by one or another level of government - 12 percent of males and 15 percent of females.

Fifty-seven percent of the men said they live in cities, while only 45 percent of the women live in municipalities.

The survey also found that the majority of those questioned said they are Democrats - 67% of males and 72% of females said they are registered as Democrats. When it comes to voting for a candidate  77 percent of  respondents feel legal recognition of same-sex marriage for tax, estate and insurance purposes extremely important in making their choice.

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/04/042506family.htm