Tatchell ‘surprised’ at third of British people who still believe homosexuality is wrong
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I share Peter’s disappointment – the figures are nothing to be proud of.
What is the government and the media doing to enlighten people?
I am surprised at Peter’s surprise.
Homophobia is losing resectability and public profile – in this it is about generation behind racism – but that doesn’t mind it doesn’t die hard.
“4,486 adults surveyed in 2008″
A number so small is hardly representational of the populace.
And they asked adults. If they’d of asked teens too, the levels of acceptance would have been higher – the generations are getting much less homophobic as they go by.
Jasper, I think you could be right
Happy birthday for yesterday Peter
xXx
you don’t look 58 more a 48 I would say :)
I’m surprised this actually passed for a story. I’m sure you could fill this website with what Peter did and didn’t think about all sorts of things – but its hardly ‘news’ is it?
“And they asked adults. If they’d of asked teens too, the levels of acceptance would have been higher”
I agree. I have quite a few friends who think being gay is wrong, usually due to their crazy religious beliefs (do non-crazy ones exist?), but they seem to keep their mouths shut and their fists to themselves. At least people are becoming more tolerant which is a step in the right direction.
I also feel safer knowing that 2/3 of people think it is not wrong, especially that there might be less of a chance of bias during a trial or what not.
I wonder what the age profile of the people surveyed is.
While it does seem that 36% of people thinking that homosexuality is always wrong is a high percentage; it is worth pointing out that people over the age of 50 (and certainly 60) grew up in a time when homosexuality was either fully illegal and not accepted at all.
I would hope that the levels of disapproval among younger people would be much lower.
I think the recession has had an impact on this and those people complaining about PC is rubbing off on our standing in the mainstream community.
Comment #6 by Sister Mary Clarence
Instead of taking up our invitation to post last night’s Equality Bill voting figures broken down by party (to show how the Conservatives have in your words “changed”), we find you here on this thread having a go at a story carrying the words of a man who has for decades worked tirelessly to further the cause of human rights.
This says so much about you.
Can´t say I can really fault comment #10 above!
Mumbo Jumbo – we’ll I would take the time to do that but it would pander to your blinkered political bias, so seems little point.
I think the reality is that many of the Lords voted based on the religious beliefs rather than their political persuasions. There wasn’t to my knowledge a three line whip requiring the Conservative peers to vote again the Bill, but perhaps you know better, you seem to be a bit of an expert.
In between chap jibes maybe you could let me (and others) know the religions of those who voted in favour, against, or abstained. Bearing in mind the debate focused around religious beliefs that might just have been a bit more of a deciding factor in the peers’ vote – although what do I know, you are clearly much cleverer on the subject than me.
… and Mumbo Jumbo, not to muddy the waters with facts (I know you Labour trolls detest that) but my criticism was actually of pink news running a non-story about what Peter Tatchell thought about something (which is probably little different from umpteen of gay people’s view), rather than a criticism of Peter for having those view.
I know its more fun to make things up sometimes, but it can be irritating for other people when you peddle lies to fit your own arguments.
@12 and 13, Well, however you try and spin it, due to your ´blinkered political bias´, the tory peers voted all the same way, with the exception of Lord Lamont. If, as you say, they didn´t have a three line whip,then they can´t even hide behind that excuse can they? Nice to know they are all independently-minded bigots and anti-equality homophobes!
Spin aside, half a glass of beer is still only half a glass of beer. Can we expect these good and righteous tories to continue voting according to their religious beliefs? (even if it means voting down bills from the ´new tories´?)
However you want to look at it… (no blinkered political bias needed as results speak for themselves), the tory party is still no friend of equal rights for gays and lesbians.
Sister Mary Clarence writes:
There wasn’t to my knowledge a three line whip requiring the Conservative peers to vote again the Bill
That’s because they knew they didn’t need one.
Simon Murphy writes:
I would hope that the levels of disapproval among younger people would be much lower.
I would hope the same but once David Cameron & Co. have them all in faith schools they’ll be brainwashed into homophobia again.
Shhh, open your mail quietly this mornin or P.Tatchell may wish to comment about it!
Can’t comment on the age profile of the latest British survey, but I have seen the detailed figures for the equivalent Scottish survey in 2006. As others have suggested here, age is the biggest factor correlating with opinions towards LGB people.
In the Scottish survey, 30% overall thought gay sex was always or mostly wrong. But amongst people aged 18 to 24, it was only 17%. Amongst people aged 65+ it was 57%.
Amongst people who attend a religious service at least once a week, 52% thought gay sex is wrong. Amongst those who have no religion or practically never attend a religious service, only 24% thought that.
54% of people overall agreed that gay men and lesbians should have the right to marry. Amongst people aged 18 to 24 it was 73%. Amongst people aged 65+ only 28% agreed.
Amongst those attending a religious service at least once a week, 32% agreed with same-sex marriage (a positive indication I think). Amongst those of no religion, or practically never attending a service, 58% supported same-sex marriage.
I’ve always said it but the House Lords is an utter disgrace.
How can democracy exist if a bunch of unelected, geriatrics can kill legislation.
Get rid of them – the House of Lords needs to be abandoned and replaced with a democratically elected upper house like they have in the US.
“I would hope that the levels of disapproval among younger people would be much lower.”
Simon, I think you could well be mistaken about that. A lot of homophobic violence these days is carried out by people in their teens.
Sadly I have to agree with Dave. The evidence is that younger people are far more homophobic than people in theur 30s and 40s. The new generraton coming up who were schooled under the Section 28 legacy are bringing a renewed vigour to homophobia.
Nothing surprises me about heterosexuals!
‘The new generraton coming up who were schooled under the Section 28 legacy are bringing a renewed vigour to homophobia.’
I find that a weak argument Tony as homosexuality was never taught in school before that even came into force. All that did was continue what was aready not being taught at the time.
Putting it planly if this was the case the figures amongst everyone up to now would be the same.
The only thing I will say is that ‘the new generation’ you speak of were born around that time not schooling so in fact the teens have spent most of their schooling under a Labour government!
Tony, the evidence does not seem to support quite what you suggest – in the 2006 attitudes urvey in Scotland people aged 18 to 24 were the least homophobic, and there’s no evidence that has changed.
However it is true that a lot of homophobic abuse is carried out by young people.
Overall it seems that the majority of young people are less homophobic than older generations, but there is a minority who think it’s OK to be particularly homophobic and transphobic. No doubt the casual use of homophobic language in schools, which seems to be far more prevalent now, encourages that minority.