Gay vs. straight: A comparison of sex, relationships, and interests

OkCupid, an international dating site, analyzed the data of over 3.5 million dating site users and compared the interests and behaviors of users based on sexual orientation.

The above chart is based on the question “have you ever had a sexual encounter with someone of the same sex?” and mapped geographically based on their answers to the question and their listed orientation. 

The full report includes interactive charts, numbers, and breakdowns.

Based on what users list in their profile, the questions they answer, and how they behave on the site, their research suggests the following:

• Gay people are not sexually interested in straights
• Gay people aren’t promiscuous
• Straight people have gay sex, too

View the full report on OkTrends »

View other LGBT-related infographics on Equalitopia »

US opinion on gay marriage shifting rapidly

A few months ago, we posted a chart showing that America’s opinion on gay marriage has eased slightly, but a recent chart by Five Thirty Eight shows that it could be even more of a change.

The chart uses data from dozens of polls about gay marriage. We may soon be able to safely say that the majority of America supports gay marriage!

Studies have shown us that americans who oppose gay marriage are both less educated and older.

See also:

• America’s opinion: gays receive the most discrimination
• Gays in the military: A thorough breakdown of opinions
• Archive: LGBT data and infographics

(Chart by Five Thirty Eight)

Infographic: Countries where gay marriage is legal

This week, Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage. Last month, Iceland passed a gay marriage law in an unanimous vote.

Which country is next?

Infographic by good.is. See also: Equalitopia’s archive of LGBT infographics.

Gay rights in developing countries

In February, we posted the quote: “Coming out as gay: In some countries it means losing your friends, in other countries it means losing your life.” This chart by The Economist shows the legal and social penalties of being gay in some of these less fortunate countries.

Uganda currently has a pending anti-homosexuality bill, which would give the death sentence to gay people. Not only would gay people be at risk, but anyone with knowledge of an individual being gay person could receive the death sentence if they don’t report them to authorities. A pastor showed gay porn in church in an attempt to gain support for proposed anti-homosexuality laws.

Recently, a court in Malawi convicted a gay couple of gross indecency and unnatural acts.

See Equalitopia’s news about: Iraq, Zimbabwe, Malaysia, Malawi, Uganda

(Chart by The Economist, via Rubiety)

Heterosexual Marriage Laws

Infographic: Same-Sex Marriage in the US

By Rochester Institute of Technology's Reporter Magazine.

America’s Opinion: Gays Receive the Most Discrimination.

A report by Pew Research:

A plurality of the public (45%) believes that gays and lesbians face “a lot” of bias – roughly double the proportions that see widespread discrimination against blacks (18%) or Hispanics (23%), and three-to five-times the proportion that sees similarly high levels of prejudice directed at women, Asian Americans or whites. The latest Pew Research survey of racial attitudes finds that overall, nearly eight-in-ten (78%) adults say gays and lesbians face at least “some” discrimination. Even blacks see discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation as more pervasive than racial bias against blacks.

Broken down by ethnicity:

Breaking it down further, respondents who say gays & lesbians receive “a lot” of discrimination:

• 43% of Whites
• 55% of Blacks
• 47% of Hispanics
• 45% Overall

Read the full report »

Timeline of State Gay Marriage Laws

An infographic by good.is that shows the changes of state gay marriage laws and if they were changed by legislatures, courts, or voters.

(Note: This was made in 2009)

LGBT vs GLBT

Comparison of term usage LGBT vs. GLBT using Google search.