Californians more accepting of Gays
Two thirds of Californians believe in either marriage or partnership rights for gays and lesbians, according to the latest Field Poll.
Public approval for gay and lesbian rights, along with overall acceptance of homosexuality, is on the rise in California, according to the latest Field Poll survey released today.
In the last nine years, the percentage of people who disapprove of gay and lesbian relations and those who approve has reversed, with 43 percent of the state’s residents now saying they do not believe homosexuality is wrong and 32 percent who do. In 1997, the last time a survey was taken on this issue, 45 percent did not approve and 38 percent did.
“It’s not surprising,” said Greg Gandrud, a Carpinteria city councilman who is openly gay. “I think young people tend to see (homosexuality) as a nonissue. It’s just not a big deal.”
More Californians than ever know somebody who is gay or lesbian, and 67 percent believe they should be allowed to serve in the military, compared to 58 percent in 1997. A little over half of respondents said homosexual couples should be allowed to adopt children, the poll showed, and about two-thirds believe employers should be prohibited from discriminating against gay and lesbian couples.
Half of Californians oppose the idea of amending the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as being only between a man and a woman, a politically charged issue here and across the country. Only 40 percent of respondents said they approve of the idea.
Of course, marriage and military service will be important issues at the upcoming Log Cabin Convention, so be sure to attend.
[…] On the heels of a California Study which says that Californians support Gays in the Military by a 2-to-1 margin and that 51% of California Republicans support recognizing same-sex-partnerships with either Civil Unions or Marriage Equality, the Pew Research Institute finds similar sentiments nationwide: After peaking during the 2004 election, opposition to allowing gays and lesbians to marry has faded in recent years. Currently, 51% oppose legalizing gay marriage, down from a recent high of 63% just two years ago in February of 2004. The percent who favor allowing gay marriage has increased from a low of 29% in August of that year to 39% today… […]
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