All Americans want the opportunity to participate fully in their communities and our democracy. It’s the American Spirit, being a part of something larger than ourselves. The result is that our communities are better off and our republic is made stronger and more successful.
Not surprisingly, LGBT Americans want the same thing with all of the rights and responsibilities that entails. They want to play active roles in improving their local communities, their state, and their nation. The Gill Foundation wants to create these opportunities so that all Americans can serve. That’s why we support efforts that reduce stigma and defamation and provide equal access to government service.
Changes in laws have all too often been a lagging indicator of the profound impact that LGBT Americans have had on changing our society for the better. A vital part of our movement’s work has always been changing hearts and minds.
A good indication of the progress that is being made is the sizeable majority of U.S. adults that supports key policy proposals that would better the lives of LGBT Americans.
According to a Harris Interactive poll conducted late last year:
- Three out of four (75 percent) U.S. adults believe that there should be either marriage or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian couples.
- More than six in ten (63 percent) Americans favor expanding hate crimes laws to include crimes against LGBT people. And 51 percent of Americans favor nondiscrimination laws that protect LGBT people. Download the FBI’s Hate Crimes Statistics, 2008 report here.
- When we started the foundation in 1994, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’’ policy had been in place for a year. Today, almost two-thirds (64 percent) of Americans favor allowing openly gay military personnel to serve in the armed forces.
- Nearly seven out of ten U.S. adults (69 percent) oppose laws that would ban qualified gay and lesbian couples from adopting children.
- Approximately two in 10 U.S. adults (19 percent) report that their feelings toward gays and lesbians have become more favorable over the past five years. Seventy-nine percent attribute that to knowing someone who is gay or lesbian and 50 percent say it’s because of the fact that laws have been passed that protect LGBT people.
Research has shown that folks are less likely to discriminate against LGBT people when they know them. The willingness of millions to come out and share their stories is indeed changing hearts.
All Americans want the opportunity to participate fully in their communities and our democracy. Not surprisingly, LGBT Americans want the same thing with all of the rights and responsibilities that entails.
