The Human Rights Campaign called the poll, released by
the Kaiser Family Foundation on November 13th, showing increased acceptance of gay, lesbian
and bisexual Americans encouraging, but expressed concern that even in this
improved environment discrimination and violence remain persistent problems.
The data also shows that the American people strongly support federal
legislation to battle hate violence and prohibit discrimination based on
sexual orientation, says HRC.
“The poll is a welcome indication of how incredibly far we have progressed,
but it is also a barometer of how much further we have to go to reach our
goal of full equality,” said HRC Communications Director David M. Smith. “We
are particularly encouraged by the overwhelming public support for federal
legislation to address hate violence and prohibit employment discrimination
and we hope that members of Congress see that ending these injustices are
what their constituents clearly want.”
According to the poll, large majorities of the public support federal
legislation that would address hate violence and ant-gay discrimination with
73 percent of Americans supporting hate crime legislation; 76 percent
supporting federal protection from employment discrimination, and 74 percent
in favor of protection from housing discrimination. Equally large numbers
support extending certain rights and benefits to lesbian and gay domestic
partners, including: inheritance rights, 73 percent; employer-sponsored
health insurance 70 percent; and social security benefits 68 percent.
The poll shows that while gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans feel
more accepted than ever, many have suffered discrimination, threats or even
violence. Seventy-six percent of lesbians, gays and bisexuals believe there
is greater acceptance today. But an alarming 74 percent report that they
have experienced prejudice and discrimination, and 32 percent report that
they have been the target of physical violence. Additionally, 74 percent of
LGB people report being the victims of verbal abuse. Forty-one percent of
believe that there is more violence directed towards them today than a few
years ago.
The survey found that 78 percent of the American people believe that
gay men and lesbians experience at least some prejudice and discrimination –
including more than half, 57 percent, who say “a lot,” and 39 percent who
think there is more violence toward gays and lesbians in this country today
than a few years ago.
More than half, 55 percent of the general public, opposes legally
sanctioned gay and lesbian marriages; while 39 percent support it. This is
up from previous surveys conducted in 1998, where 33 percent were in favor
of marriage and in 1992 when only 27 percent were in favor. The public is
less inclined, 42 percent, to oppose legally sanctioned gay and lesbian
unions or partnerships, and more, 47 percent, support it than oppose such a
policy.
Support on adoption rights for LGB families is split, with 46
percent opposing it and 47 percent in favor. Support for adoption rights for
couples has increased in recent years – from 29 percent in 1994 and 36
percent in 1998. The public’s evolving views on gay and lesbian parenting
are further shown in the fact that 56 percent of the public believes that
gay and lesbian couples can be just as good parents as heterosexual couples.
The future of LGB equality remains bright, according to the poll,
with the a wide majority of 18- to 29-year-olds supporting gay and lesbian
rights. For instance, 68 percent support gay unions or partnerships; 60
support the right to marry and additional 55 percent are in favor of
adoption rights for LGB couples.
Two thirds of the general public believe there is more acceptance of
gays and lesbians today compared to a few years ago, and a majority feel
that greater acceptance is either good for the country, twenty nine percent,
and 44 percent believe that it doesn’t matter one way or the other. In the
workplace, 78 percent of people say they would feel comfortable working with
someone who is openly gay or lesbian. The majority would also allow their
children to attend high school, 71 percent, or elementary school 61 percent,
if the teacher were openly gay or lesbian. And 58 percent would vote for a
gay or lesbian political candidate. Americans, however, are more divided as
to whether they would, 46 percent or would not, 49 percent, attend a church
or synagogue where the minister or rabbi is openly gay or lesbian.
Two thirds of the general public believe that homosexual behavior is
a normal part of some people’s sexuality – 36 percent completely agree and
33 percent somewhat agree. More than a quarter disagree – 20 percent
completely and 8 percent somewhat. However, about half of the general public
believes that homosexual behavior is morally wrong – 38 percent strongly
agree and 13 percent somewhat agree.
Three quarters, 73 percent, of the general public now know someone
who is gay or lesbian, up from 55 percent in 1998. Those who know someone
who is gay are significantly less likely, 47 percent, to believe that
homosexuality is morally wrong compared to those who do not know someone who
is gay, 68 percent.
“This poll shows that the importance coming out has on changing
hearts and minds cannot be overstated,” said HRC National Coming Out Project
Manager Candace Gingrich. “Coming out not only changes the individual’s
life, but has a significant impact on those around them.”
According to the poll, views on homosexuality vary by religious
affiliation and gender. For example, 60 percent of Evangelical Christians
“completely agree” that homosexuality is morally wrong, compared to 31
percent of non-Evangelical Christians and 27 percent of Catholics. Women are
somewhat less likely than men to believe this, 28 percent and 56 percent
respectively.
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