When everyone is alone isolated and closeted, when even the very notion of otherness remains unspoken, then the numbers of the self-identifying are kept artificially low.

Concepts take a while to trickle down.

At first there were no gays.

Then once there were gays, there were no gay kids.

Now there are gay kids. But can we doubt that they weren't there all along?

HOWEVER...

Labels can cause labeling. And clumsy labels can cause false dichotomies.

Sexuality and gender-identity are more fluid than most labels can accommodate.

Once bi-sexual replaced the either/or hetero/homo dichotomy, more folks identified as Bi.

Unfortunately gender roles and role-playing is still so strong that many who don't fit a category seem forced to choose.

Not all tomboys will turn out to be dykes or trans-men. Some will, many won't. We need to honor them better.

But if it takes a label and a human-rights protected status for an LG who prefers short hair and sports ( and maybe girls ) to be allowed to do as she pleases, then more will claim the label.

Society still holds prejudices. And as long as they do, there will still be those who have to "pass" in order to experience the privileges which exist on the other side of a largely imaginary barrier.

Dante