The shift in attitudes towards gay rights in the past generation has been drastic. So I always assumed that in recent years, the percentage of Americans who identified as gay or lesbian would have risen. I was surprised, then, when sociologist Tristan Moore passed along the results from the latest General Social Survey, which found that the percentages of gay men, bisexual men and lesbians have held firm over the past decade.
But rates of female bisexuality, he noted, told a different story. According to that same survey, their numbers have skyrocketed. Bridges and his co-author, sociologist Mignon Moore, explore the significance of this trend, and why one group in particular – young black women – seem to be on the leading edge of a bisexuality boom.
Also today: how well cartoon advertising works for e-cigarette makers, racial barriers to getting an organ transplant, and how AI can transform journalism.
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A marcher waves a flag during the Capital Pride Parade in Washington, D.C. on June 8, 2019.
Nicole S. Glass/Shutterstock.com
Tristan Bridges, University of California, Santa Barbara; Mignon R. Moore, Barnard College
According to the General Social Survey, the percentage of men and women who identify as gay or lesbian has held firm. But the share of women who say they're bisexual has skyrocketed.
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Politics + Society
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Eric Keels, University of Tennessee; Joshua Lambert, University of Central Florida
History shows that when government elites believe that there is a risk that they may lose control of the capital, they escalate targeted violence against civilians.
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Luis Gómez Romero, University of Wollongong
Mexico says it emerged from tariff negotiations in Washington with its 'dignity intact.' But that dignity comes at great cost to the migrants fleeing extreme violence in Central America.
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Michael J. Socolow, University of Maine
An American media scholar studying in Australia looks at the protections offered by the two countries for investigative reporting, raising crucial questions about journalism's role in democracy.
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Health + Medicine
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Camilla Nonterah, University of Richmond
Although certain racial minorities are more likely to be diagnosed with organ failure, they are less likely to be transplanted. What's behind the gap?
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Jon-Patrick Allem, University of Southern California
E-cigarettes are unsafe for children, but some e-cig companies are using cartoons, which have been shown to appeal to youth. Should restrictions be in place, as they are for traditional cigarettes?
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From our international editions
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Adam Behr, Newcastle University
Mac Rebennack took the stage name Dr John and a persona based on a real-life voodoo prince.
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Julie Stevens, Brock University
The Raptors' playoff success has propelled basketball’s legends and lore to a level never before reached among Canadians. Will it surpass hockey as Canada's favourite game?
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Tatyana Humle, University of Kent; Rosa Garriga, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Studies show that West Africa's critically endangered chimpanzees are finding ways of adapting to their rapidly changing habitat, but they still remain highly at risk.
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Today’s chart |
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Eric Keels
University of Tennessee
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Joshua Lambert
University of Central Florida
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