Gallup Poll

on homosexuality: Gay Rights Attitudes a Mixed Bag

Opening paragraphs:
"Though Americans have grown increasingly tolerant of homosexuality over the past three decades, U.S. public opinion on the subject is still ambiguous. Most Americans believe homosexuals deserve equal rights in the workplace, but people are closely divided over whether homosexuality is an acceptable way of life. Barely half believe homosexual relations between consenting adults should be legal, and a majority says such relations are immoral. Fewer than half want to see gay marriages legally sanctioned.

According to Gallup trends, by the late 1990s public attitudes toward homosexuals had advanced considerably compared with the 1970s, and even with the early 1990s. The percentage saying homosexuals should have equal job opportunities grew from 56% in 1977 to 74% in 1992 and to 88% by 2003. Similarly, the percentage saying homosexuality should be considered an acceptable alternative lifestyle was only 34% in 1982 and 38% in 1992, but expanded to 50% by 1999.

However, that progression has largely stalled in the last few years. Today, the percentage saying the homosexual lifestyle should be considered acceptable remains at just 51%, while 45% say it should not be acceptable."