Researchers estimate that roughly ________ million elderly Americans are lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

• A. 2
• B. 3
• C. 4
• D. 5

Answer: (B)

Understanding this estimate starts with how researchers gauge the size of a minority group within a large, aging population. A noticeable share of adults identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, but older generations were less likely to disclose their orientation in past years. When scientists combine a mid-range prevalence of LGB identification with the substantial number of Americans who are 65 and older, the resulting figure lands around a few million. Because the data on older adults are imperfect and there’s a tendency for underreporting, a central, commonly cited estimate hovers near three million. This sits as a reasonable middle ground that reflects the size of the elderly population and the likelihood that some individuals in that group are LGB but not fully disclosed in surveys.