Gay and Lesbian Market in the U.S., The

The Gay and Lesbian Market in the U.S., a completely new Packaged Facts report produced in collaboration with Witeck-Combs Communications Inc., provides an in-depth analysis of the 15.3 million gay and lesbian consumers in the United States, whose buying power exceeded $660 billion in 2006.

The first section of this 5th edition of the Packaged Facts report provides a demographic profile of the gay and lesbian population and includes analyses of population size and growth, age structure, economic status, and family and household structure. A separate chapter offers authoritative insights into the changing residential patterns of gay couples, who increasingly seek out suburbs offering more affordable housing and environments more suitable for raising families. Another chapter assesses social and political trends affecting the gay and lesbian market, such as an ongoing long-term movement toward increased tolerance.

The next section of the report provides an in-depth assessment of the consumer attitudes and behavior of gay men and lesbians. It begins with a review of topics such as brand loyalty, retailer preferences, and online shopping and continues with profiles of gay and lesbian consumers in the financial services, health and wellness, and travel sectors. A separate chapter shows how gay men and lesbians are in the vanguard of the digital revolution that is reshaping the media, advertising, entertainment, and telecommunications industries.

The report continues with an evaluation of media consumption patterns by gay and lesbian consumers and an analysis of advertising and marketing trends affecting the gay and lesbian market. It concludes with a projection of gay and lesbian buying power through 2011 and a discussion of strategic trends and opportunities in the gay and lesbian market.

Report Methodology

The information in The Gay and Lesbian Market in the U.S. is based on both primary and secondary research. Primary research involved interviews with experts, public relations and industry analysts in firms that specialize in gay and lesbian market research. Secondary research entailed data-gathering from relevant trade, business, and government sources, including company literature.

The main source of data on consumer behavior in this report is the ongoing Witeck-Combs Communications/Harris Interactive surveys, which contrast self-identified GLBT samples with comparative non-gay samples. This online survey research effort by Harris Interactive in partnership with Witeck-Combs Communications is conducted periodically through the Harris Poll Online and through other surveys. Figures for the age, sex, race, education, and number of adults in the households are adjusted where necessary to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the U.S. adult population. In addition, using a scientific and often tested technique called propensity weighting, which balances responses for offline individuals, these data are projectable. The Gay and Lesbian specialty panel consists of a double opt-in panel of more than 40,000 GLBT self-identified individuals who indicate they are willing to answer questions online. Individual monthly Harris Poll Online surveys consist of more than 2,000 individuals, of whom approximately 6% consistently identify themselves as GLBT.

About the Authors

Dr. Robert Brown and Ms. Ruth Washton have written more than 30 Packaged Facts reports analyzing demographic trends and marketing strategies in key consumer segments. Topics have ranged from kids to mature consumers to multicultural groups such as Hispanics and African Americans. Dr. Brown and Ms. Washton have co-authored several Financial Times Business Reports on strategic business issues and have provided market and competitor intelligence studies for clients in a variety of industries. Dr. Brown has a B.S. from Georgetown University and a Ph.D. degree from The George Washington University. Ms. Washton has a B.A from Skidmore College and an M.A. from the State University of New York.

About Witeck-Combs Communications

Once again, The U.S. Gay and Lesbian Market features the expert insight of Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. (http://www.witeckcombs.com), the PR agency with the nation's leading practice in gay and lesbian marketing. Robert Witeck and Wesley Combs are the authors of the new book, Business Inside Out, the first business book on marketing to gay men and lesbian consumers. The book taps their 13 years of experience advising clients on successfully tapping the gay and lesbian market.

What You'll Get in this Report

Until very recently, many marketers and advertisers tended to view gay and lesbian consumers as a relatively narrow niche. However, marketers increasingly have begun to recognize the depth and diversity of the gay and lesbian market and the potential offered by gay and lesbian consumers, not only as individuals but also as couples and parents. As a result, a growing number of major national brands representing an ever wider range of consumer products and services are entering the gay and lesbian market for the first time. This Packaged Facts report provides innovative insights into how companies can benefit from entering, or expanding their presence, in the gay and lesbian market.

Plus, you'll benefit from extensive data, presented in easy-to-read and practical charts, tables and graphs.

How You Will Benefit from this Report

If your company is interested in effectively reaching the lucrative gay or lesbian consumer, you will find this report invaluable, as it provides a comprehensive package of information and insight about gay and lesbian consumers not offered in any other single source. You will gain a thorough understanding of the current demographic profile of the U.S. gay and lesbian adult population. Contributing to that understanding will be a complete analysis of data from published and trade sources, expert insight from Witeck-Combs Communications, and in-depth examinations of the economic and societal trends that influence the consumer behaviors of this increasingly influential segment of the population.

This report will help:

• Marketing Managers identify market opportunities and develop targeted promotion plans for gay and lesbian consumers.
• Research and development professionals stay on top of competitor initiatives and explore demand for products targeting gay and lesbian consumers.
• Advertising agencies to develop targeted messages and images that compel gays and lesbians to purchase these products.
• Business development executives understand the dynamics of the market and identify possible partnerships.
• Information and research center librarians provide market researchers, brand and product managers and other colleagues with the vital information they need to do their jobs more effectively.