Attitudes of Religious Americans on Gay Equality Issues

SUMMARY

In this memo, which is based on three recent polls, we offer insights about religious Americans’ attitudes towards gay and lesbian people and recommend ways to move them forward on equality issues.

Too often, when it comes to the issue of equality for gay and lesbian Americans, progressives see religious leaders and Americans as rigid, unreasonable, and monolithically hostile. However, our extensive public opinion research has revealed four key insights about the attitudes and mindset of those who have religious objections to same-sex relationship recognition and other equality issues. If progressive leaders better understand the mindset of religious Americans, they may be able to make progress on these critical issues by bringing people of faith into the conversation, rather than leaving them out in the cold.

To read this Memo, open the attached PDF