Gay & Lesbian Atlas [Paperback]

Gary J. Gates (Author), Jason Ost (Author), Elizabeth Birch (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0877667217 | ISBN-13: 978-0877667216 | Publication Date: May 30, 2004

While the words "we are everywhere" can be frequently heard at gay and lesbian political events, The Gay and Lesbian Atlas provides the first empirical confirmation of this rallying cry. Drawing on the most recent data from the U.S. Census, this groundbreaking work offers a detailed geographic and demographic portrait of gay and lesbian families in all 50 states plus the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas. These results, presented in more than 250 full-color maps and charts, will both confirm and challenge anecdotal information about the spatial distribution and demographic characteristics of this community. It is probably no surprise that San Francisco, Key West, and western Massachusetts all host large gay and lesbian populations, but it might surprise some that Houston, Texas, contains one of the ten "gayest" neighborhoods in the country, or that Alaska and New Mexico have high concentrations of gay and lesbian couples in their senior populations. The Atlas is a unique and important resource for the political and public policy communities, public health officials, social scientists, and anyone interested in gay and lesbian issues.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...[A] must read for anyone, straight or gay, who wants to understand an increasingly important...aspect of American society." -- Richard Florida, author, The Rise of the Creative Class

"In the welter of emotions generated by debate on GLBT issues, facts are too often ignored." -- U.S. Congressman Barney Frank

"The Gay and Lesbian Atlas is a timely and powerful tool..." -- Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin

"Two words for this book--at last!." -- Jonathan Rauch, Brookings Institution, author of Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America

From the Publisher

Gary J. Gates serves as a research associate in the Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population at the Urban Institute. A native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Dr. Gates holds a PhD from the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University. His doctoral dissertation included the first research study of the demography of the gay and lesbian population using U.S. Census data; his ongoing work on that subject has been featured in many national media outlets. Dr. Gates cowrote a study examining the interplay of diversity and the location and growth of the technology sector, and facilitated development and implementation of Pennsylvania’s first statewide HIV prevention plan. In addition to his PhD, Dr. Gates holds a Master of Divinity degree from St. Vincent Seminary and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

Jason Ost is a research associate in the Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population at the Urban Institute. Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Mr. Ost received a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in 1999. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in geography to complement his professional interest in demography and public health.

Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: Urban Inst Pr (May 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877667217
• ISBN-13: 978-0877667216
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #472,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As comprehensive as it is beautiful..., June 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Gay & Lesbian Atlas (Paperback)

This atlas is clearly the gold standard in gay and lesbian demographics. The authors have used the most concrete data available to create one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly books available on the topic. The analysis and methodology is surprisingly readable. The maps are vivid and very easy to follow. I've left the book on my coffee table and everyone one of my friends has picked it up. I thoroughly enjoy watching them thumb through their home states and hearing them exclaim "There are gay people there?" This atlas is a useful tool for marketers, service providers, policy makers, and anyone looking to know more about their gay and lesbian neighbors.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book about gay demographics!, June 21, 2004

By 

"chris86315" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gay & Lesbian Atlas (Paperback)

This book makes it very easy to find information about where we live in the united states and presents it in such a way that arguments can now be backed up with factual data taken from the US census. It is easy to read and very informative. A must have for anyone interested in gay studies.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding overview of gay demographics, June 24, 2004

By 

"narwhal-dc" (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gay & Lesbian Atlas (Paperback)

This book is amazing! It's content and presentation are both truly wonderful. Between the brilliant statistical slicing and dicing of the census data (thanks to Dr. Gates) and the wonderful and insightful maps and charts (thanks to Mr. Ost), this book really hits home. It gives a lay-person (straight or gay) the ability to understand where the gay and lesbian communities are, where the gay couples with kids are, where the gay seniors are, and so on. The text is surprisingly easy to read and understand (only surprising in that the topic and technical details have the potential to be intolerably dry). The authors cut no corners in making the data approachable and understandable and at the same time applicable and accurate--a really hard thing to do given the nature and complexity of the topic matter.

Bottom line, gay and lesbian couples are EVERYWHERE. And for the first time, thanks to Dr. Gates and crew, people outside the gay community can see and feel it.