About 9 million people in the United States identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, according to a UCLA study released Thursday.
The estimate, which translates to about 3.5% of adults as LGBT and 0.3% of adults as transgender, was created by the Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law and argues that any estimate of the population is difficult because there are insufficient and inconsistent national surveys.
The study culled data and methods from nine surveys conducted over the last seven years and averaged results from five of those surveys to estimate sexual orientation and results from two surveys to estimate the transgender population.
Among other findings: Of the lesbian, gay and bisexual population, bisexuals were a slightly larger group, representing 1.8% of the adult population compared to 1.7% who were lesbian or gay.
It also found an estimated 8.2% of Americans reported participating in same-sex sexual activity; and an estimated 11% held some same-sex sexual attraction, but neither group necessarily identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
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Also in the news:
A professor is facing calls to resign after blaming the collapse of the Roman Empire on homosexuality.
Roberto De Mattei, a devout Roman Catholic, had already raised eyebrows by saying the Japanese tsunami was 'divine punishment'.
In a radio interview, the vicepresident of Italy's prestigious Centre for National Research said: 'The collapse of the Roman Empire and the arrival of the Barbarians was due to the spread of homosexuality.
'The Roman colony of Carthage was a paradise for homosexuals and they infected many others.'
The 63-year-old added: 'The invasion of the Barbarians was seen as punishment for this moral transgression.
'It is well known effeminate men and homosexuals have no place in the kingdom of God.
'Homosexuality was not rife among the Barbarians and this shows God's justice comes throughout history.'
Professor De Mattei is a close friend of education minister Maria Stella Gelmini and controversial prime minister Silvio Berlusconi who once said: 'Better to love girls than be gay.'
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Read more: <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1374823/Outrage-Italian-history-professor-blames-fall-Rome-rise-homosexuality.html#ixzz1JILLA3XC>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1374823/Outrage-Italian-history-professor-blames-fall-Rome-rise-homosexuality.html#ixzz1JILLA3XC