One reason we gather data is because our opinions of what "seems like" reality are likely biased in significant ways based on our experiences, philosophies, and wishful thinking.
Generally speaking, surveys from various western countries seem to indicate 1-5% of adults identify as LGBT, with a slightly higher percentage of adults reporting either some same-sex attraction or same-sex sexual experience at some point in their lives. It came as a surprise when surveys revealed a higher incidence of homosexuality among teens (5-7%), who are generally more reluctant to self-identify as LGBT and less likely to be sure of their sexuality; it now appears that those answers were unreliable.
Generally speaking, surveys from various western countries seem to indicate 1-5% of adults identify as LGBT, with a slightly higher percentage of adults reporting either some same-sex attraction or same-sex sexual experience at some point in their lives. It came as a surprise when surveys revealed a higher incidence of homosexuality among teens (5-7%), who are generally more reluctant to self-identify as LGBT and less likely to be sure of their sexuality; it now appears that those answers were unreliable.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_sexual_orientat... and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_demographics_of_the_United...