ISSUE GUIDES: Gay Rights

PUBLIC VIEW: BILLS & PROPOSALS
  • The number of Americans saying homosexual relations should be legal fluctuates
  • Six in 10 Americans say gay marriage should not be legal, but when given the choice, as many as two in 10 say they have no...
  • Americans are evenly divided on whether they favor legalizing civil unions for gay couples, but support has slight...
  • Four in 10 Americans say they oppose any legal recognition of gay couples, but nearly six in 10 say it...
  • Americans are divided over whether they favor a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, and support for each state...
  • More than half of Americans say a state should not be required to recognize a gay marriage that was legally sanctioned in...
  • Younger and unmarried Americans are more likely to say they favor gay marriage
  • Blacks are less likely than Hispanics and whites to say they support same-sex unions or marriages
  • More than half of Americans say gay spouses should receive benefits like inheritance rights, health insurance and Social...
  • Support for giving gay couples the same legal rights as married couples varies depending on question wording and three in 10...
  • Half of Americans say they oppose allowing gay couples to legally adopt children, but slightly more than half say...
  • Most Americans say gays should have equal employment rights, but support falls for occupations like teachers and clergy
  • Nearly three-quarters of Americans say they favor laws to protect homosexuals against housing discrimination
  • Seven in 10 Americans say they would favor hate crime laws to protect gays and lesbians
  • Six in 10 Americans say gays should be protected under civil rights laws
  • Most Americans say homosexuals should be allowed to serve in the military and six in 10 say they should be allowed to serve...
  • A plurality of Americans say homosexuality is an appropriate topic for middle and high school students and half say...
  • More than half of Americans say a model Boy Scout leader should not be removed if he is found out to be gay, but...