Survey: Some Americans Still Very Uncomfortable with LGBT People
On the same day that Alabama became the 37th marriage equality state, and just weeks after President Obama called marriage equality a “civil right” in his State of the Union address, new polling released by GLAAD offers a sobering reminder: many Americans are still uncomfortable with LGBT people.
Based on two surveys conducted in late 2014, “Accelerating Acceptance” reveals that – while a majority of Americans support the protections that accompany same-sex marriage, a third of those polled said they would be uncomfortable attending a same-sex wedding, while 43 percent said they would be uncomfortable bringing a child to one.
Beneath marriage equality’s recent progress is “a layer of uneasiness and discomfort,” the executive summary says. “While the public is increasingly embracing LGBT civil rights and equal protection under the law, many are still uncomfortable with having LGBT people in their families and the communities where they live.”
So where do we go from here?
“Closing the gap to full acceptance of LGBT people will not come from legislation or judicial decisions alone, but from a deeper understanding and empathy from Americans themselves,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, the CEO and president of GLAAD, in a statement on Monday. “Accelerating acceptance will require the help of not just LGBT people, but also their allies – everyday Americans who feel strongly and take an active role to make sure that their LGBT friends and family are fully accepted members of society.”
Click here to read more of the survey’s findings.