From "Out": "Though fewer than 10 priests in the United States have come out publicly as queer, gay men comprise anywhere from 30 to 40 percent of the American Catholic clergy, according to estimates from gay priests and researchers, the New York Times reported in an article exploring the reality of being a closeted clergy member. Some priests claim the percentage to be much higher, at 75 percent, while one Florida priest told the Times that, when it comes to priests, "A third are gay, a third are straight and a third don't know what the hell they are."

For the article, the New York Times spoke to two dozen gay priests and seminary students from 13 states. Almost all the priests who spoke to the Times did so anonymously, saying that their being identified as gay, even if they have kept their vow of celibacy, could lead them to lose their livelihood, as the Church controls their housing, health insurance, and retirement pension.

One priest described living in the closet as an "open closet," saying that, though gay priests don't speak about their sexuality, many know about other gay priests. Those who do come out tend to come out much later than the average gay man. While the average coming out age is 15, according to the "Times," many priests do not come out to themselves until their 30s or 40s." (To read the complete article, Click Here.)