Two-Thirds of GLBT Americans Think Nation Headed in the Right Direction
(Washington, DC) American GLBT adults say they are more optimistic for the future than their heterosexual counterparts.
A new national survey conducted online in mid-August by Witeck-Combs Communications and Harris Interactive shows two–thirds (67%) of GLBT adults say that things in the country are going in the right direction, compared to …
Nevada lawmakers reject veto of partnership bill
(Carson City, Nev.) Nevada’s Assembly voted Sunday to override Gov. Jim Gibbons’ veto and to change state law so that domestic partners, whether gay or straight, have many of the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples.
The Assembly’s 28-14 vote – the bare two-thirds majority needed – followed …
Nev. overrides guv’s partnership bill veto
The Assembly overrode Gov. Jim Gibbons’ veto on a 28-14 vote Sunday and changed state law so that domestic partners, whether gay or straight, have many of the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples.
The Assembly’s vote — the bare two-thirds majority needed — followed the state Senate’s similar decision, with no votes to spare, a day earlier to make the historic change in state law over the conservative Republican governor’s objections. Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, termed SB283 “the most important civil rights legislation we have had in all my years here,” adding the law change ensures “justice for all, not justice for some.” Leslie said proponents of the new law were asking “that their government give them the ability to choose who they will live with and whom they will love.” SB283 provides that domestic partners have the same rights as married couples in matters such as community property and responsibility for debts. It also prohibits discrimination against domestic partners.
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/nev-overrides…
Knowing Someone Gay/Lesbian Affects Views of Gay Issues Gallup.com -
WASHINGTON, D.C. — While 57% of Americans oppose legalizing gay marriage, Americans who personally know someone who is gay or lesbian are almost evenly divided on the matter, with 49% in favor and 47% opposed. Among those who do not personally know anyone who is gay, 72% oppose legalized gay marriage while just 27% favor it.
The results are from a May 7-10, 2009, USA Today/Gallup poll, which asked Americans their views on a number of issues relating to gays and lesbians. Overall, a majority of Americans (58%) say they have a friend, relative, or coworker who is gay or lesbian — basically unchanged since Gallup first asked this question in 2003.
Examining personal experience by ideology, 71% of self-identified liberals say they personally know someone who is gay or lesbian — far more than is true among moderates and conservatives, who align more closely with the national average.
Views of gay marriage are strongly related to ideology. But the increase in support among those who personally know someone who is gay or lesbian is not merely a reflection of the fact that liberals are more likely to know someone of same-sex orientation. Further analysis reveals that, when controlling for ideology, those who know someone who is gay or lesbian are significantly more supportive of gay marriage than are those of the same political persuasion who do not personally know someone who is gay or lesbian.
Americans who know someone who is gay or lesbian are about evenly split between saying legalizing gay marriage will change society for the worse (39%) and that it will have no effect on society (40%). Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) who do not personally know a gay or lesbian person believe that legalized gay marriage will change society for the worse — far greater than the 48% of national adults who say the same. Only a small minority of Americans believe legal gay marriage will change society for the better, but those who personally know someone who is gay or lesbian are three times more likely to say this than are those who do not know anyone who is gay or lesbian.
Experience and Acceptance
In addition to the findings on gay marriage, Gallup similarly finds those with personal experience with gay or lesbian individuals more accepting of same-sex relations in general. While a majority of Americans overall (56%) think same-sex relations should be legal, two-thirds (67%) of those who personally know a gay or lesbian individual say this. A majority (57%) of those who do not personally know anyone who is gay say gay or lesbian relations should not be legal.
Of those who say they personally know someone who is gay or lesbian, 88% say they are comfortable around these individuals, compared to 64% of those who do not personally know someone who is gay or lesbian. Among adults overall, fewer than 2 in 10 say they are uncomfortable around someone who is gay or lesbian, but that number increases to 3 in 10 among those who do not personally know anyone who is gay or lesbian.
See Knowing Someone Gay/Lesbian Affects Views of Gay Issues Gallup.com – * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/knowing-someo…
Right Wing “Christians” Push for Same Sex Marriage Ban in Mountain State of West Virginia
WHEELING – There’s a controversial move underway for a constitutional amendment in West Virginia.
It would define marriage as between one man and one woman.
West Virginia already has a Defense of Marriage Act, passed by the Legislature about ten years ago.
But Jeremy Dys of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia says it’s not strong enough.
He wants a constitutional amendment.
It was no coincidence he visited the area on a Sunday.
Church members are usually a friendly audience for the one-man, one-woman marriage message.
Dys spoke at the Ohio Valley Christian Center on National Road:
“Same sex marriage is a very close reality in WV. Closer than many people think. This is too big of an issue for anyone to decide except the people. Let it go to the people themselves. The Legislature shouldn’t be deciding this. Courts shouldn’t be deciding this. The people of West Virginia should.”
An amendment ballot issue would need a two-thirds vote of the legislature.
See Push for Same Sex Marriage Ban in Mountain State
State Journal – Charleston,WV,
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/right-wing-ch…
