The Policy Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) is a think tank dedicated to research, policy analysis and strategic projects to advance greater understanding and the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Majority of Americans Support Gay and Lesbian Rights;
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Releases Groundbreaking Report:

"From Wrongs To Rights: Public Opinion On Gay and Lesbian Americans Moves Toward Equality"

"FROM WRONGS TO RIGHTS" examines public opinion polls over the last two decades that measured attitudes toward gay and lesbian people and equal rights issues. Authored by Alan Yang, doctoral candidate in the Dept. of Political Science at Columbia University. An introduction is provided by Kenneth Sherrill, Chairman of the Political Science Dept. at Hunter College, City University of New York. The full report is available to download or view at: http://www.ngltf.org

At the dawn of a new millennium, public opinion in America is moving strongly toward support for equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) persons. A new comprehensive assessment of public opinion polling data released by the Policy Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) empirically illustrates the success of efforts to achieve civil equality in employment, housing, military service, access to benefits, and equal protection of relationships and GLBT families. The post-Stonewall strategies of coming out, public education, steady lobbying, direct action, and campaigns for legal equality have successfully shifted public opinion toward support for equal rights.

The trends documented in From Wrongs to Rights: Public Opinion on Gays and Lesbians Moves Toward Equality detail that significant majorities support fair treatment of gay and lesbian workers, and equal rights in many other arenas. At the same instance, the report illustrates the paradox of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender life in America: strong support accompanies continuing disapproval.

Yet, even here research of systematically collected public opinion polls reveals that the public's censure of gay and lesbian sexual relations has dropped drastically in twenty years. The public's feelings toward gay men and lesbians has moved in a significantly positive direction during the last twenty years, while at the same time, when compared to other social groups, gay men and lesbians are still one of the most disliked groups in the nation.

Not only has our work paid off, but, in fact, even when we lose, we win. That is the message of From Wrongs to Rights. Whether it be the repeal of Maine's state civil rights law in February 1998, the backlash in state legislatures against the specter of same-sex marriage, or the continuing witch-hunts against gays in the military, the outcome of these battles cannot be assessed purely from the votes for or the vitriol against. The very engagement of debate on GLBT people's lives has contributed to a positive shift in public opinion over the past two decades. This progress despite policy setbacks is best illustrated in the gays in the military debate. Despite a ban on open service by gay men and lesbians, 66 percent of the American public supports the inclusion of gays in the military.

This effect is also evident in the same-sex marriage debate. While most Americans still oppose same-sex marriage, opposition is declining. In addition, a majority of Americans now support some spousal benefits for same-sex couples, such as social security and insurance benefits. The public discourse marriage has generated has contributed to the greater visibility of gay and lesbian relationships and families. As GLBT parents become known, they become better understood. Again, public opinion polls taken over time suggest that while a plurality of Americans still oppose adoption by same-sex couples, this opposition too will gradually erode, as it has in the past two years.

From Wrongs to Rights also helps explain the extreme vehemence and tenacity of the opposition to equality and fairness for GLBT people. Anti-gay forces are increasingly in the minority of public sentiment on issues of non-discrimination. Those that make up this dwindling group are therefore likely to be a more concentrated collective of people who are ardently anti-gay and therefore more vocal and focused in their abhorrence of GLBT people.

The analysis in From Wrongs to Rights underscores that political ideology and party affiliation are connected to attitudes and tolerance toward gay and lesbian equality. A significant debate currently exists within the Republican Party over its position on social issues -- gay rights are often a marker that arouse the wrath of social conservatives. Yet, Americans, on average, support equal treatment for gay and lesbian people. Should the right wing in the Republican party win this battle and a Republican presidential candidate strongly and actively oppose basic equality for and civility toward GLBT people, the party runs a good chance of alienating a large number of voters. Indeed, the data analyzed in this report suggest that in their blanket opposition to all forms of equality for lesbians and gay men, it is the anti-gay right wing that is out of step with mainstream American sentiment on this issue.

All of us who have suffered the devastating passage of an anti-gay ballot measure, discrimination on the job, or violence in the streets can take heart from the evidence analyzed by Alan Yang in this report. Our suffering has not been for naught, and our hard work is paying off.

But, From Wrongs to Rights serves as an important reminder that our work does not end with the passage of laws. Equality does not equal understanding or social acceptance. To continue the momentum documented in this study, the GLBT movement must continue to educate and speak directly to America and continue to take heart in the basic goodness and decency of the American people.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS:

Among other facts, "From Wrongs to Rights" shows that strong majorities of Americans now support equality in employment (84 percent); housing (81 percent); inheritance rights (62 percent) and social security benefits (57 percent) for same-sex couples; and gays in the military (66 percent). In addition, disapproval of same-sex relationships dropped a substantial 19 points from a peak of 75 percent in 1987 to 56 percent in 1996. The report also shows the percentage of people opposed to same-sex marriage (and those opposed to adoption by gay and lesbian couples) to be declining.

The full report and highlights of "From Wrongs To Rights" is available at NGLTF's web site: http://www.ngltf.org