60% Content With Acceptance Of Gays/Lesbians In U.S.

The chart above shows a remarkable change in the attitude of Americans toward members of the LGBT community. When I was very young, it was illegal to be a homosexual in this country -- and most Americans accepted that as the way it should be. Even after the courts overturned those stupid laws, most gays/lesbians remained in the closet, because legality did not instantly translate into acceptance.

Things have radically changed. Now a significant majority (60%) of Americans have no problem with the open acceptance of gays/lesbians, and that acceptance crosses political lines -- including 67% of Democrats, 59% of Independents, and even 54% of Republicans. This is a good thing, because all citizens should find acceptance in our society.

Of course, that does not mean all the battles concerning sexual orientation have been won. They haven't. Members of the LGBT community can still be fired from their jobs without recourse, simply because of their sexual orientation. That must be changed. A federal law is needed to prevent this kind of discrimination.

The good news is that most Americans would be happy to see such a law. While a small majority of Americans accept same-sex marriage, a much bigger percentage think gays/lesbians should be protected from discrimination on the job (with most polls showing 70%-80% believing that, even in the red states).

Equal protection under the law should not just be a dream included in our Constitution. It needs to be a reality for all American citizens.

The chart above was made from information in a recent Gallup Poll -- done between January 6th and 9th of a random national sample of 1,012 adults, with a margin of error of 4 points.

For those who think their religion forces them to discriminate against the LGBT community, here is a helpful flow chart.