Public Attitudes Toward Gays and Lesbians: Trends and Predictors

Public opinion about gay men and lesbians is a popular topic in both the popular press and academic journals. However, analyses of attitudinal trends are rare. Tracing changes in opinion polls on homosexuals in the United States between 1977 and 2003, the first part of the present study showed that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of homosexuality 2006-01, Vol.51 (2), p.57-77
Main Authors: Hicks, Gary R., Lee, Tien-Tsung
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-gay attitudes
Attitude
Attitudes
Civil Rights
Female
Gays & lesbians
gays and lesbians
Homophobia
Homosexuality
Homosexuality, Female
Homosexuality, Male
Homosexuals
Humans
Lesbianism
Lesbians
Male
Minority Groups
Philosophy
Prejudice
Public Opinion
Public opinion surveys
Social Attitudes
Surveys and Questionnaires
Trends
Citations: Items that this one cites
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Summary:Public opinion about gay men and lesbians is a popular topic in both the popular press and academic journals. However, analyses of attitudinal trends are rare. Tracing changes in opinion polls on homosexuals in the United States between 1977 and 2003, the first part of the present study showed that public opinion of this minority group has become more positive over time. Part two of this research utilized a recent national survey to identify factors predicting anti-gay attitudes. The best predictors included respondents' sex, stance of anti-abortion and anti-women's equality, and religiosity. Implications for gay rights advocates were discussed.
ISSN:0091-8369
1540-3602
DOI:10.1300/J082v51n02_04