Most lesbians, gays and bisexuals believe there is more acceptance of gay people today than a few years ago, but similar numbers also report that they have experienced prejudice and discrimination based on their sexual orientation…including verbal abuse or physical violence…according to a new national survey of self-identified lesbians, gays and bisexuals released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Although more than three quarters (76%) of lesbians, gays and bisexuals believe there is greater acceptance today, roughly equal numbers (74%) report that they have experienced prejudice and discrimination, and about one third (32%) report that they have been the target of physical violence because someone believed they were gay. Three out of four (74%) report being the victims of verbal abuse. About four in ten (41%) believe there is more violence directed towards gays than a few years ago (19% say less), and similar numbers (39%) report that they are “very” or “somewhat” worried that they may be physically assaulted or beaten by someone who does not like gay people.
A companion survey found similar views among the public: 78% believe gays experience at least some prejudice and discrimination…including more than half (57%) who say “a lot,” and 39% think there is more violence toward gays and lesbians in this country today than a few years ago. Majorities of the public support policies to address such violence and discrimination, including federal legislation that would mandate increased penalties for those who commit so-called “hate crimes” based on prejudice toward gays and lesbians (73% support), and measures to protect against discrimination in employment (76%) and housing (74%). Equally large numbers support extending certain rights and benefits to lesbian and gay domestic partners, including: inheritance rights (73%) ; employer-sponsored health insurance (70%) ; and social security benefits (68%).
Over half (55%) of the general public opposes legally sanctioned gay and lesbian marriages; 39% support the policy, up from previous surveys conducted in 1998 (33%) and 1992 (27%). The public is less likely (42%) to oppose legally sanctioned gay and lesbian unions or partnerships, and more support (47%) than oppose such a policy. Roughly equal proportions of the public support (46%) and oppose (47%) adoption rights for gay and lesbian couples, and support for this policy has also increased in recent years. The public’s mixed views on parenting are further reflected in the fact that over half (56%) say that gay and lesbian couples can be just as good parents as heterosexual couples.
See www.kff.org/content/2001/3193/