Six out of 10 Americans Say Homosexual Relations Should Be Recognized as Legal

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE ^ | May 15, 2003 | Frank Newport

[Remedy]

But Americans are evenly divided on issue of legal civil unions between homosexuals giving them the legal rights of married couples

PRINCETON, NJ -- Attitudes toward homosexuality and homosexual relations continue to be one of the more complex areas of public opinion that Gallup measures. The issue is not only one of significant concern because of its traditional moral and religious overtones, but in recent years it has been at the center of state and federal legislative battles, highly publicized court challenges, and political debate.

Gallup's recent Values and Beliefs survey shows that a majority of Americans accept the idea that homosexual relations between consenting adults should be legal and that homosexuality is an acceptable way of life. The acceptance of homosexuality as legal is now at the 60% level, up from 52% last year and 43% when Gallup first began asking about it in 1977. The recent survey also finds that almost 9 out of 10 Americans agree that homosexuals should have equal rights in terms of job opportunities, although opinions on allowing homosexual couples to legally form civil unions, giving them some of the legal rights of married couples, are evenly divided.

A plurality of Americans believe that homosexuality is something that is a result of one's upbringing or environment, rather than being a genetic trait with which a person is born, although opinion on this has been somewhat inconsistent over time.

Should Homosexuality Be Legal?

Gallup first asked about the legality of homosexuality in 1977, with a basic question worded as follows: "Do you think homosexual relations between consenting adults should or should not be legal?" At that point, Americans were evenly divided on the issue, as 43% said yes, 43% said no, and 14% were not sure. In Gallup's recent Values and Beliefs poll, conducted May 5-7, the public has clearly become more moderate toward homosexuality than was the case two decades earlier: 60% of Americans now say that homosexual relations should be legal, 35% not legal, with 5% unsure. During the mid-1980s, the percentage saying that homosexual relations should be legal dropped to as low as 32%, perhaps resulting from either the conservative environment ushered in by the Reagan administration, or the beginning of widespread publicity surrounding AIDS and its prevalence in the homosexual community.

Equal Job Opportunities

Over the same time period, there has also been significant change in attitudes about employment rights for homosexuals. The specific Gallup question asks: "As you may know, there has been considerable discussion in the news regarding the rights of homosexual men and women. In general, do you think homosexuals should or should not have equal rights in terms of job opportunities?" The percentage saying yes is now 88%, similar to recent years, but significantly higher than the 56% when first recorded in 1977. As recently as 1992, fewer than four in five Americans felt homosexuals should be given equal treatment in hiring.

Thus, there is a gap between the 60% of the public saying that homosexual relations should be legal, and the 88% saying that homosexuals should have equal rights in the workplace. These two questions may play to different norms that exist in contemporary America. The legality question may tap into a general sense of morality, and a reluctance of a more conservative segment of society to sanction what they consider to be deviant behavior. The question about equal opportunity, on the other hand, may invoke the public's attitudes about discrimination, fair play, and equal treatment.

Homosexuality as an Acceptable Lifestyle

Indeed, a sizable percentage of Americans continue to frown on the homosexual lifestyle. In 1982, Gallup distinguished between Americans' personal feelings about homosexuality from their opinions about its legality by asking this question: "Do you feel that homosexuality should be considered an acceptable alternative lifestyle or not?" At that time, just 34% said yes. Public acceptance on this measure has increased incrementally since that point, and our latest poll shows that a small majority, 54%, now agrees that homosexuality should be considered an acceptable lifestyle. Still, that leaves a substantial minority of 43% who disagree.

There are significant differences in willingness to accept homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle within subgroups of the American population. In general, the following groups are most likely to agree that such relationships are acceptable:

Nature or Nurture?

Part of the argument about homosexuality through the years has focused on the issue of how much control an individual has over his or her sexual orientation. Many gay and lesbian leaders stress the fact that homosexuality is an inborn trait, and -- similar to gender or race -- is not a decision over which an individual has direct control. The classic Gallup Poll question designed to get at this issue -- first used in 1977 -- asks if homosexuality is "something a person is born with or is homosexuality due to other factors such as upbringing or environment?"

In 1977, the public was more likely to agree with the argument that homosexuality is due to factors such as one's upbringing and environment, rather than the argument that homosexuality is something with which a person is born -- by a margin of 56% to 13%. Twenty-six years later, in 2003, the percentage of Americans accepting the genetic argument has more than doubled to 38%, while the percentage agreeing that homosexuality is environmentally caused has dropped to 44%. Thus, a slight plurality of Americans now agrees with the "nurture" argument over the "nature" argument. Still, unlike other trend questions that have moved to a more liberal orientation in this year's survey, the "upbringing/environment" alternative in response to this question is more prevalent now than it was in either 2001 or 2002.

Should Homosexual Couples Be Given the Same Legal Rights as Married Couples?

The answer to this question is a clear "yes" if the issue is simply whether gay or lesbian partners should be able to share healthcare and Social Security survivor benefits. Americans are less supportive if providing legal rights is done in the context of establishing a right of civil unions for gays and lesbians, akin to marriage.

Polling in recent years has consistently shown that at least 6 out of 10 Americans are opposed to the recognition of marriages between homosexuals as legally valid unions, with the same rights as traditional marriages.

If the question is re-phrased to emphasize giving "some of the legal rights of married couples," but without the assumption that they would in some ways be "married," public opinion breaks even. In May 2002, 46% favored a law that would "allow homosexual couples to legally form civil unions, giving them some of the legal rights of married couples," while 51% opposed. This year, opinion is exactly divided, with 49% in favor and 49% opposed.

At the same time, a question that asks about giving homosexual couples the same legal rights as married heterosexual couples "regarding healthcare benefits and Social Security survivor benefits" finds 62% agreement.

Survey Methods

These results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,005 adults, aged 18 and older, conducted May 5-7, 2003. For results based on this sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is ±3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

[Remedy]

Six out of 10 Americans have lost their COMMON SENSE:

1. Homosexual Propaganda Campaign Based On Hitler's 'Big Lie' Technique
2. Gay Rights Strategies Involve Conscious Deception And Wholesale Manipulation of Public Opinion
3. New Book Guides Journalists in Reporting of Homosexual Issues
4. Selling Homosexuality To America
5. Homosexual minority dominates mainstream America

---

COMMON SENSE MAY BE REGAINED BY:

Briefs filed at the United States Supreme Court - John G. Lawrence, et al. v. Texas, No. 02-102, Alabama, South Carolina, and Utah (State Attorneys General) American Center for Law and JusticeJay Alan Sekulow, Counsel of Record American Family AssociationStephen M. Crampton, Counsel of Record Center for Arizona PolicyThis brief refutes the errors expressed in the opposing amicus submitted by the American Psychology Association. Len L. Munsil, Counsel of Record Center for Law and Justice InternationalPat Monaghan, Counsel of Record Center for the Original Intent of the ConstitutionMichael P. Farris, Counsel of Record Concerned Women for AmericaJanet M. LaRue, Counsel of Record Family Research Council & Focus on the FamilyRobert P. George, Counsel of Record Legislators, State of TexasKelly Shackelford, Counsel of Record Liberty CounselMathew D. Staver, Counsel of Record Pro Family Law CenterRichard Ackerman, Counsel of Record Texas Eagle Forum; Daughters of Liberty Republican Women of Houston, Texas; Spirit of Freedom Republican Women's ClubTeresa Stanton Collett, Counsel for Amici Curiae Texas Physicians Resource Council, Christian Medical and Dental Association, Catholic Medical Association Glen Lavy, Counsel of Record United Families International

[bmwcyle]

Women again who have lost their minds coupled with a few stupid men.

[InvisibleChurch]

Six out of 10 Americans Say Homosexual Relations Should Be Recognized as Legal

what about the other 250,000,000+ in the US?

[xJones]

This is about as real as McKinsey's "10% of Americans are gay" data. There is an agenda at work here.

[Joe Brower]

[OldFriend]

Did they do all the polling in San Francisco and Grenwich Village?

[carolina_rn7]

Oh Please ! Surrender or country's morals more and more ......... NEVER! It's not even about tolerance. It's amoral and a SIN!

[jde1953]

"In another poll 9 out of 10 Americans said they were glad that Mohammed Atta was successful in achieving his dream of destroying the twin towers."

I presume you meant this as sarcasm. If so, it's in incredibly poor taste.

If you meant it seriously, then please answer the following question: In what way is a consensual relationship between two adults of the same sex even remotely comparable to the premeditated murder of thousands of people?

[longtermmemmory]

this poll is still suspect. I believe these are out to try and cloakroom influence the US Supreme Court.

There is no way that homosexual sex is ACCEPTED. It is important to differentiate between acceptance and tollerance. This is nothing more than more recruit the children acceptance propaganda.

What parent in their right mind will take the chance if they can PREVENT homosexual development? Do yuppies say, little johnny or jannie is smart they don't need to go to private pre-k or school. Why spend money on tutors? NOT. Homosexual orientation can and should be prevented. It should be taught as an undesireable lifestyle CHOICE. Forget religious claims for the moment, there are legitimate therapists who can treat this as a destructive fetish.

BTW protect children keep away from disney parks on june 3-9, 2003 its gaydays. (they even have a web site, ughh)

[elhombrelibre]

Maybe the rumps should be tatooed. "Warning: The Surgeon General has determined that Annal Sex May Be Hazardous to Your Health."

[longtermmemmory]

Women again who have lost their minds coupled with a few stupid men. ""

women who fear being women.

[RAT Patrol]

There is a lot this study doesn't say. While most people feel gays should have the same job opportunities (why not?), they do not favor legislation requiring religious groups or anyone else to hire gays, transexuals, whatever...against their own personal convictions.

The study also doesn't reveal the difference between how many people think it is wrong but don't want to be labeled with the "homophobe" slur so, in short, they've been intimidated into their position.

Lastly, it doesn't make one iota bit of difference how many people believe homosexuality is genetic. The science doesn't prove it. Period. When everyone believed the world was flat that didn't make it flat.

[ALS]

Main Entry: ¹queer
Pronunciation: 'kwir
Function: adjective
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1508
1 a : WORTHLESS, COUNTERFEIT <queer money> b : QUESTIONABLE, SUSPICIOUS
2 a : differing in some odd way from what is usual or normal b (1) : ECCENTRIC, UNCONVENTIONAL (2) : mildly insane : TOUCHED c : absorbed or interested to an extreme or unreasonable degree : OBSESSED d usually disparaging : HOMOSEXUAL
3 : not quite well
synonym see STRANGE
- queer·ish /-ish/ adjective
- queer·ly adverb
- queer·ness noun

[Jumper]

There seems to be covert push in the media to bring America in line with the UN on the issue of Homosexuality and making it internationally legal; recently Lybia and Syria took a firm stand against an attempt to force Religions to recognize the homosexual lifestyle or rather force all governments to ensure that religion and government recognize the practice and the right of gays.... The real issue is the vocal minority in the world community who seem to push this agenda along with the Left in hopes that conservatives will "just let it pass".

Conservatives must never let the sheer weight of BS coming from the Left to allow passage of something we oppose - it is time that the Left be forced to fight for what it wants and to fight to keep what it has! Conservatives must take the battle to the Left and wear them down for a change. Only then will the Left "get along" with the Right.

[PISANO]

I will say it again, "How can anyone support a biological activity, that if practiced by everyone, would mean the END of the HUMNAN RACE. Makes no sense!

[Luna]

Well, they never asked me for my opinion. I always get missed for polls. I think polls are skewed anyway to give certain results.

Homosexual "marriage" is an oxymoron. If two people of the same gender want to live together, that's their choice. I just don't like them making a big deal about it by whining, demanding equal rights, and trying to change the true meaning of marriage.

[RAT Patrol]

ROTFL on post 11

[rs79bm]

O.K.....Then let's get the courtrooms ready to change all the friggin' laws that are built around families comprised of a husband and wife.

I don't know about you, but that is something I don't want to deal with. At the very least, they should not have the same rights as a married couple i.e. husband and wife, because the same laws don't apply for child birth, etc.....

[drjimmy]

I will say it again, "How can anyone support a biological activity, that if practiced by everyone, would mean the END of the HUMNAN RACE. Makes no sense!
I take it then, that you have never had a BJ (from a woman), since supporting that biological activity, which if practiced by everyone, would mean the END OF THE HUMAN RACE.

[rs79bm]

Pheeewww, I don't think anyone is calling for the end of the human race....but I get your point. Afterall, homesexuals would not even be here if their parents had practiced what homosexuals practice. Soooooo, how do you explain that, people?

[Freebird Forever]

what about the other 250,000,000+ in the US?

Exactly!

Six out of 10 Americans ........ randomly selected national sample of 1,005 adults

This is just another extremely specious extrapolation by the sodomite lobby intended to foist their agenda.

No rest for the wicked

[steplock]

"Gallup's recent Values and Beliefs survey shows that a majority of Americans accept the idea that homosexual relations between consenting adults should be legal and that homosexuality is an acceptable way of life."

This is simply a blatant LIE.

I will believe that the majority of Americans said that homosexual relations between consenting adults should NOT be ILLEGAL. This is a BIG difference in saying it should be LEGAL (denotes approval).

The statement "homosexuality is an acceptable way of life" is the 100% LIE. Well, let's say 1% homosexuals say ok, 10% stupid idiot left-wing radicals say ok, and 10% schitzo... skitsso... NUTS! say ok.
;>)

[El Conservador]

And I just got flamed for calling American Idol's Clay Aiken closeted gay.

Well...

[cake_crumb]

"If the question is re-phrased to emphasize giving 'some of the legal rights of married couples,' but without the assumption that they would in some ways be 'married,' public opinion breaks even."

I doesn't sound to me like the majority of Americans now support special legal rights for gays.

Since 1997, Gallup has been asking Americans the same question over and over, each time gauging the reaction not to the QUESTION, but to the way the question is PHRASED, thus Gallup has been subtly fine-tuning the PHRASING of the question in order to get slightly different rusults each time. This article shows the upward curve in the response trend over a period of years, proving nothing except that the public was getting more and more duped by the POINT behind the PHRASING of the question.

Yes, propaganda works. We all know that already.

[TLBSHOW]

Nobody says getting rid of liberalism was going to be easy. Start with getting rid of tv.

[Belial]

this poll is still suspect. I believe these are out to try and cloakroom influence the US Supreme Court.

What a bunch of tinfoil nonsense.

It may be hard to believe, but the majority of Americans aren't particularly interested in regulating the sex lives of consenting adults.

[borntodiefree]

I have a few ideas. Let's see:

1)allow people to hire and fire whoever they dang well please its their money!!(Government employess being the exception...of course lets have a lot less of them too)

2)Quit paying for the healthcare of these homos...and everyone else for that matter. No one has a right to healthcare, it is up to the individual, family, church, and the "volunteers" in the community!!

3)Remind the "government" they don't have jurisdiction in the institution of marriage and have no business deciding who or what "marriage" is or having any input in the matter.

4)First and foremost lets have parents get away from the TV and the church out of their pee-uhs (pews) and take responsibility for training people (children) in Godly morals.

Lets see: (short list in reference to this topic)
Personal Accountability
+ government convicting "real crimes" (murder, rape, etc...)
+ people dealing with the results of their personal actions
+ work for who you want
+ hire who you want
+ succeed or fail on your own initiatives
+ decide to serve the God of Heaven and His Christ or not
__________________________________________
L I B E R T Y

[Remedy]

Maybe their rumps should be tatooed. "Warning: The Surgeon General has determined that Annal Sex May Be Hazardous to Your Health."

[steplock]

"How can anyone support a biological activity, that if practiced by everyone, would mean the END of the HUMAN RACE. Makes no sense!"

Sure it does! Just find out WHO is advocating this and NOT practicing it! Some families in Massachussetts come to mind here.

This goes along with the "De-stygmatizing" of AIDS, hepatitis, and other health-threatning activities. See WHO are dying of these practices. WHO would benifit? Which Country? Religion???

Hmmmmm....Islam doesn't promote nor condone this activity in their countries.

Other odd thing ... SARS began in the Chinese province with the HIGHEST concentration of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases....this very soon after China publicized the "acceptance" of homosexuality and de-stygmatizing those infected with AIDS. Original reports showed a correlation of SARS and Chlamedia (sp?).

Food for thought.

[ffusco]

Man, are you gonna get more than you bargained for from Rem!

[ethical]

Do you really think men and women in heterosexual relationships would limit themselves to a BJ every time all the time? Get real. The point is that no matter what homos or lesbians engage in sexually there will be no baby.

[ffusco]

"death to all who enter"

[Remedy]

2)Quit paying for the healthcare of these homos...and everyone else for that matter.

Texas Phys.Resource Council, Christian Med. & Dental Association, Catholic Med.Association

Texas has a legitimate interest in regulating public health, and the CDC has identified sexually transmitted diseases ("STDs") as a public health problem. Sodomy is an efficient method of transmitting STDs. And regardless of the reason, same-sex sodomy is far more effective in spreading STDs than opposite-sex sodomy. Multiple studies have estimated that 40 percent or more of men who practice anal sex acquire STDs. In fact, same-sex sodomy has resulted in the transformation of diseases previously transmitted only through fecally contaminated food and water into sexually caused diseases primarily among those who practice same-sex sodomy.

[Houmatt]

This is all poppycock created by Gallup.

Look, if they wanted to ask a question that was specific and straightforward, they could have and should asked: Should a group of people be given a minority status (read: special treatment) due to their sexual behavior?

I firmly believe you will find most people will say NO, and gallup knows this, which is why their questions were more convoluted and deceitful than specific.

Here is an example:

"As you may know, there has been considerable discussion in the news regarding the rights of homosexual men and women. In general, do you think homosexuals should or should not have equal rights in terms of job opportunities?"

What they don't tell you is homosexuals already have "equal rights in terms of job opportunities" as citizens of this country. Things change, however, when they make their sexual behavior an issue. Employers do not, and should not have to hire someone whose behavior they object to on whatever grounds. I mean, should the owner of a Christian bookstore be forced to hire an open, in your face homosexual? Of course not.

[Lizavetta]

If you meant it seriously, then please answer the following question: In what way is a consensual relationship between two adults of the same sex even remotely comparable to the premeditated murder of thousands of people?

I think he used the Atta example because it's just as unlikely and ridiculous as the 6 out of 10 bullsh*t. And the article isn't talking about a 'consensual relationship' - they're talking about equating traditional marriages with deviant marriages.

Furthermore, after the gay marriage thing passes, the next 'lifestyle' for which they'll demand legal recognition and protection is swinging, then bestiality, then who knows what else. Remember when the legalization of abortion was for 'the very poorest of women', 'the most desperate situations', etc.? Now there's abortions for everyone, at any time, for any reason.

[Belial]

I will say it again, "How can anyone support a biological activity, that if practiced by everyone, would mean the END of the HUMNAN RACE. Makes no sense!

Perhaps the reason you need to repeat yourself is that your statement is irrelevant to the question at hand, which is whether gay couples should be allowed to get married.

I'll tell you what makes no sense. My boss is celebrating his 14 year anniversary with his partner today. On the other hand, straight couples are getting married as part of a gameshow. Who wants to marry a millionaire? Who gives a damn. It's a twisted world we live in, full of a lot of BS and double standards.

[Remedy]

SODOMY : The Lords of Bakersfield (Powerful gay men. Vulnerable teen-age boys. Murder.)

SODOMY : Homosexual Rape and Murder of Children

SODOMY : Log Cabin leader tied to Website urged murder of President Reagan, Christian leaders

SODOMY : Major Scientific Study Examines Domestic Violence Among Gay Men

SODOMY : Sex Abuse And Homosexuals

SODOMY : Bug Chasers:The men who long to be HIV+

[caisson71]

BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ffusco]

So you accept that the vast majority of sex people have has nothing to do with pro-creation as a desired result.

[MHGinTN]

I agree, the '6 out of 10' statistical assertion is BS indeed.

[borntodiefree]

Your point? Everything in the article is correct...except the fact that the "State of Texas" has jurisdiction in the matter.

By the way, just from what you posted, if you and your wife are monogomous and stay a virgin until married, this isn't a problem is it!?!?

So obey God's will, and only marry a man or woman who has and its a non-issue....

[vetvetdoug]

They did this survey in Austin, Texas, Berkley & San Francisco, California, Princeton, New Jersey, and New York, New York, didn't they?

[Belial]

Furthermore, after the gay marriage thing passes, the next 'lifestyle' for which they'll demand legal recognition and protection is swinging, then bestiality, then who knows what else

Thanks for a brilliant demonstation of the logical fallacy known as the slippery slope.

[Remedy]

if you and your wife are monogomous and stay a virgin until married, this isn't a problem is it!?!?

So obey God's will, and only marry a man or woman who has and its a non-issue....

Get 3/4 of the population doing as you suggest and most of the problems this country has will become insignificant.

[Belial]

You should update your anti-gay spamsheet.

The bug-chaser story, in particular, was debunked in less than 48 hours. Touting false information makes you look like a liar, or an idiot.

[tracer]

OK. Then tax 'em.....

[ffusco]

.......their rumps should be tatooed. "Warning: The Surgeon General has determined that Annal Sex May Be Hazardous to Your Health."
29 posted on 05/15/2003 2:50 PM CDT by Remedy


Wow! Hitler had almost the same idea!Identify them all, round them up, and then.......Now we know what you are.

[borntodiefree]

Agreed, and if they don't, then I can break down the issue of rebellion against God's law into a four word response.

"You Play .... You Pay"

[sit-rep]

Then 6 out of 10 Americans are full of shit.

I do not believe the statistics...