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)