one step forward, two steps back

[andrewducker]

Poll shows backlash on gay issues

WASHINGTON — Americans have become significantly less accepting of homosexuality since a Supreme Court decision that was hailed as clearing the way for new gay civil rights, a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll has found. After several years of growing tolerance, the survey shows a return to a level of more traditional attitudes last seen in the mid-1990s.
Asked whether same-sex relations between consenting adults should be legal, 48% said yes; 46% said no. Before this month, support hadn't been that low since 1996. (Related item: See poll numbers)

Those making the biggest shifts included African-Americans. On whether homosexual relations should be legal, their support fell from 58% in May to 36% in July. Among people who attend church almost every week, support fell from 61% to 49%.

By 49%-46%, those polled said homosexuality should not be considered "an acceptable alternative lifestyle." It was the first time since 1997 that more people expressed opposition than support.

Comments

[heron61.livejournal.com]

Among people who attend church almost every week, support fell from 61% to 49%

I really try to be tolerant of Christians and to oppose Christian-bashing when I hear it, but news like this frequently makes me wonder why I bother.

[andrewducker]

Well, apparently you can still be tolerant of 49% of christians.

[derumi.livejournal.com]

Oh, I figured the 49% going to church were Jewish and Hindi, though....

[autodidactic.livejournal.com]

The lack of support amongst African Americans is nothing new. On the one hand, you've got the fairly liberal black folks that know that discrimination is wrong, but on the other hand, you've got a large percentage of those who are very religious (religions being the one place in which black people could always find community) and are compelled to be unsupportive of gay people.

Then again, I know very few black people (even of the homophobic ones) personally who would turn one of their friends or loved ones away for being gay. This is not true of some of the white people I've known, oddly enough.

A.

[markpasc.livejournal.com]

a Supreme Court decision that was hailed as clearing the way for new gay civil rights

Nice weaselphrasing, that.