Progress, of a sort

[AdamSmith]

Could-be-a-lot-worse department...

Poll majority: Gays' orientation can't change

(CNN) -- A majority of Americans believe that gays and lesbians could not change their sexual orientation even if they wanted to, according to results of a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Wednesday.

It's the first time in a CNN poll the majority has held that belief regarding homosexuality.

Fifty-six percent of about 515 poll respondents said they do not believe sexual orientation can be changed. In 2001, 45 percent of those responding to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll held that belief. In 1998, according to a CNN/Time poll, the number was 36 percent.

In addition, 42 percent of respondents to the current poll said they believe homosexuality results from upbringing and environment, while 39 percent said they believe it is something a person is born with -- a close division that reflects the national debate over the issue.

However, those numbers are greatly changed from the 1970s and '80s, in which fewer than 20 percent of Americans said a person is born homosexual. In a 1977 poll, the number was 13 percent. ...

In a poll conducted May 4-6 that dealt with other issues regarding homosexuality, participants were asked whether openly gay people should be allowed to serve in the U.S. military, which currently has a "don't ask-don't tell" policy on homosexuality. Seventy-nine percent of poll respondents said openly gay people should be allowed to serve in the military. Eighteen percent said they should not.

On the question of gay marriage, 43 percent of respondents in May said they would not support same-sex marriage or civil unions, which provide many, if not most, of the same legal protections as marriage. Twenty-four percent said they supported same-sex marriage, while 27 percent opted for civil unions.

But a majority of poll respondents -- 57 percent -- said gay and lesbian couples should have the legal right to adopt children. Forty percent said they should not.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/27/poll.gay/index.html

[TotallyOz]

Thanks for the links to the article. I had read it this AM and was laughing a bit. They still don't want us to marry but they want us to fight in the military. But, you are right. Progress of a sort.

[Guest StuCotts]

Could-be-a-lot-worse department...

I suppose. Maybe within our lifetimes Mr. and Mrs. America will break down and accept us as part of the same human race that they consider their exclusive preserve.

Poll majority: Gays' orientation can't change

(CNN) -- A majority of Americans believe that gays and lesbians could not change their sexual orientation even if they wanted to, according to results of a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Wednesday.

It's the first time in a CNN poll the majority has held that belief regarding homosexuality.

Fifty-six percent of about 515 poll respondents said they do not believe sexual orientation can be changed. In 2001, 45 percent of those responding to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll held that belief. In 1998, according to a CNN/Time poll, the number was 36 percent.

In addition, 42 percent of respondents to the current poll said they believe homosexuality results from upbringing and environment, while 39 percent said they believe it is something a person is born with -- a close division that reflects the national debate over the issue.

However, those numbers are greatly changed from the 1970s and '80s, in which fewer than 20 percent of Americans said a person is born homosexual. In a 1977 poll, the number was 13 percent. ...

In a poll conducted May 4-6 that dealt with other issues regarding homosexuality, participants were asked whether openly gay people should be allowed to serve in the U.S. military, which currently has a "don't ask-don't tell" policy on homosexuality. Seventy-nine percent of poll respondents said openly gay people should be allowed to serve in the military. Eighteen percent said they should not.

On the question of gay marriage, 43 percent of respondents in May said they would not support same-sex marriage or civil unions, which provide many, if not most, of the same legal protections as marriage. Twenty-four percent said they supported same-sex marriage, while 27 percent opted for civil unions.

But a majority of poll respondents -- 57 percent -- said gay and lesbian couples should have the legal right to adopt children. Forty percent said they should not.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/27/poll.gay/index.html

As for the rest of your post, could it be that no Reps took part in whatever polls yielded those results? In the recent debate among GOP presidential hopefuls, to mention only one item, they were asked to raise their hands if in favor of gays serving in the military. Not one in the whole gaggle had the balls to raise his hand. On the other hand, in another part of the debate some passion went into defending the idea of pardoning Libby.

These guys are putting themselves forward as the best and brightest of Gopish men of vision and integrity. What should we expect from the receptive mob their message is aimed at?

[AdamSmith]

could it be that no Reps took part in whatever polls yielded those results? In the recent debate among GOP presidential hopefuls, to mention only one item, they were asked to raise their hands if in favor of gays serving in the military. ...

What should we expect from the receptive mob their message is aimed at?

At risk of heresy, could it be that some Repub voters are not quite the wingnuts that their primary candidates are? After all, last time the Dems fielded a competent campaigner, enough Republicans voted for him, twice.

As for Mr. and Mrs. America accepting us -- come to MA! Of course, as long as the courts let the states and Feds ignore the full-faith-and-credit clause, and even try to legislate it away, marriage rights in one state don't amount to nearly enough. But a start, at least.

[Guest StuCotts]

At risk of heresy, could it be that some Repub voters are not quite the wingnuts that their primary candidates are? After all, last time the Dems fielded a competent campaigner, enough Republicans voted for him, twice.

That was then.

As for Mr. and Mrs. America accepting us -- come to MA! Of course, as long as the courts let the states and Feds ignore the full-faith-and-credit clause, and even try to legislate it away, marriage rights in one state don't amount to nearly enough. But a start, at least.

Not in any way to belittle the achievements in intellect and good will of the Commonwealth's population, that population represents 2 - 3% of total US. It is far outweighed by the hordes out in Limbaugh territory who would gladly see the nation's homosexuals herded with their supporters into the Northeast and the whole region carpet-sprayed with DDT until scarcely an amoeba survives. Gloomy as assessments go, but not unrealistic.