Poll shows GOP voters trending positive on some gay issues

A new poll of 2,000 self-identified Republican voters shows some mostly promising numbers in terms of GOP attitudes toward gays and lesbians.

Three in four GOP voters said they don’t think people should be able to be fired on the basis of their sexual orientation, and 53% believe the Republican Party has spent too much time focusing on social issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage when it should be honing in on economic issues like taxes and government spending.

“Lots of times the media likes to give the bull horn to the loudest group and, unfortunately, those in our party who are on the far right in terms of being social conservatives have the loudest voice,” said Patrick Sammon, president of the Log Cabin Republicans. “I think this poll shows that rank and file Republicans generally support basic fairness for gays and lesbians.”

But Sammon also said the poll highlighted areas where work remains to be done. A 60% majority of GOP voters said they believe that being gay is a lifestyle choice rather than the way someone is born.

“That is a surprising number to me,” said Sammon. “That question really is where we will be engaging conservatives in the future, showing the mountain of scientific evidence that sexual orientation is not a ‘lifestyle choice.’ If we can convince more Republicans about what the science says on this issue, then I think support for basic fairness will increase.”

The poll included Republicans from all parts of the country—with the largest percentage (38%) from the South—and was conducted by GOP strategist Tony Fabrizio, Sen. Bob Dole’s former pollster.

Other findings on LGBT issues included:

–77% of Republicans believe an employer should not have the right to fire an employee based solely on their sexual orientation; and even among social conservatives, 67% say an employer should not be able to fire someone for being gay.

–49% believe gays and lesbians should be able to serve openly in the U.S. military, while 42% are opposed.

–43% of Republicans support either marriage equality or civil unions;51% oppose all relationship recognition.

–53% of respondents agree that the Republican Party has spent too much time focusing on moral issues such as abortion and gay marriage and should instead be spending time focusing on economic issues such as taxes and government spending.

–When asked, “What issue do you think best defines the Republican Party today?” only 5% said, “traditional marriage/family values”; 85% selected issues like the war on terrorism, immigration, homeland security, national defense, taxes, and the economy. (The Advocate)