Gays Are Now Being Accepted by America-Read more Click here
Improving public attitudes toward the LGBT community is causing some to ponder whether we have entered a post-gay era in America.
Much as the election of an African-American president prompted many observers to contend that we’re now in a post-racist society, some LGBTs and straight allies point to opinion polls as evidence that the same holds true for sexual orientation and gender identity.
Such people see the glass as half full, while others say it’s still half empty.
The consensus among experts EDGE interviewed is that, to borrow the old cigarette advertising slogan, "You’ve come a long way, baby," but you’ve got a long way to go, too.
Optimists are encouraged by the results of a key opinion poll released in May that detected a landmark cultural shift in American attitudes.
Much as the election of an African-American president prompted many observers to contend that we’re now in a post-racist society, some LGBTs and straight allies point to opinion polls as evidence that the same holds true for sexual orientation and gender identity.
Such people see the glass as half full, while others say it’s still half empty.
The consensus among experts EDGE interviewed is that, to borrow the old cigarette advertising slogan, "You’ve come a long way, baby," but you’ve got a long way to go, too.
Optimists are encouraged by the results of a key opinion poll released in May that detected a landmark cultural shift in American attitudes.
Gallup’s encouraging survey
Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs survey showed that more than half -- 52 percent -- of those polled perceive gay and lesbian sexual relations as morally acceptable, a gradual increase since 2006.
The change occurred almost exclusively among men, particularly those younger than 50.
Those between 18 and 49 reflected a 20 percent improvement since 2006, with 62 percent morally condoning homosexuality. Only 44 percent of men 50 and over think it’s okay to be gay, a 9 percent increase since 2006.
Women under 50 aren’t quite as accepting, but the figure is still positive at 59 percent, a modest four percent increase in four years. Only 43 percent of women 50 and over accept the morality of gays andlesbians, a tiny two percent change since 2006.
It’s no surprise that the greater movement in the Gallup poll occurred among independents and Democrats than Republicans, with moderates showing big gains as well.
Perhaps most surprising is the increase among Catholics who find homosexuality morally acceptable, given the position of the Church hierarchy. Fully 62 percent of Catholics say such relations are acceptable, a figure 16 percent higher than four years ago.
The increases in acceptability were lower for Protestants, but, perhaps unsurprisingly, 85 percent of respondents reporting no religious beliefs find homosexuality morally acceptable, a jump of 11 percent since 2006.
The change occurred almost exclusively among men, particularly those younger than 50.
Those between 18 and 49 reflected a 20 percent improvement since 2006, with 62 percent morally condoning homosexuality. Only 44 percent of men 50 and over think it’s okay to be gay, a 9 percent increase since 2006.
Women under 50 aren’t quite as accepting, but the figure is still positive at 59 percent, a modest four percent increase in four years. Only 43 percent of women 50 and over accept the morality of gays andlesbians, a tiny two percent change since 2006.
It’s no surprise that the greater movement in the Gallup poll occurred among independents and Democrats than Republicans, with moderates showing big gains as well.
Perhaps most surprising is the increase among Catholics who find homosexuality morally acceptable, given the position of the Church hierarchy. Fully 62 percent of Catholics say such relations are acceptable, a figure 16 percent higher than four years ago.
The increases in acceptability were lower for Protestants, but, perhaps unsurprisingly, 85 percent of respondents reporting no religious beliefs find homosexuality morally acceptable, a jump of 11 percent since 2006.
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