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The U.S. Department of Human Services has estimated the national gay, lesbian and bisexual population to be\n8.8 million, or 2.5-3% of the population. There are no national data on how many people identify as transgender.\n\n\u201cLesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people live in 99.3% of U.S. counties. Same-sex couples with children reside in 96% of U.S. counties. About one-quarter of same-sex couples are raising children, compared with one-third of heterosexual couples.\u201d (U.S. Census, 2000, and Gay and Lesbian Atlas, 2004)\n\n\u201cLGBT youth represent 20 - 40% of all homeless youth. Many had to leave their homes because of conflict over their families\u2019 religious beliefs.\u201d (National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and National Coalition for the Homeless, 2007)\n\n\u201cThree-quarters of LGBT people report experiencing prejudice, discrimination and verbal abuse. One-third report that at least one family member has refused to accept them because of their sexual orientation.\u201d (Kaiser Foundation, 2001)\n\nIn a proclamation issued on May 28, 2010, President Barack Obama designated June as LGBT Pride Month in the U.S. The last Sunday in June is traditionally celebrated as LGBT Pride Day.\n\n\u201cThis month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.\u201d \u2013 President Barack Obama