Seven
in Ten Adult Americans Support U.S. Supreme Court Overturning Same-Sex Sodomy
Laws
New Witeck-Combs/Harris Interactive Research Shows Broad
Public Support on Right to Privacy
Harris
Interactive, May 6, 2003
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=616
Rochester, NY—Seventy-four percent of American
adults surveyed last month favor the U.S. Supreme Court overturning state laws
that criminalize private, consenting sexual relations between same-sex
couples, yet allows that same private conduct to occur between opposite-sex
couples. This was the latest finding of a national online poll released today
by Witeck-Combs Communications and Harris Interactive®.
The new survey also reveals that Americans almost equally oppose laws
regulating consenting sexual relations that occur in the private homes of
opposite-sex and same-sex couples. Nearly nine out of 10 Americans (87%)
oppose state laws regulating private, sexual relations that are applied to
opposite-sex married adult couples and almost as many (82%) oppose such laws
that are applied to same-sex adult couples in a domestic partnership.
"Even when we exclude respondents who self-identify as lesbian, gay,
bisexual or transgender, support for overturning state sodomy laws does not
change significantly," said Darin Johnson, vice president at Witeck-Combs
Communications. "It is clear that an overwhelming majority of Americans
believe the Supreme Court should overturn all state laws that interfere with
private sexual relations between consenting adults, whether same-sex or
opposite-sex couples."
These are highlights of a nationwide survey more than 2,000
adults, of whom approximately seven percent self-identified as gay, lesbian,
bisexual or transgender (GLBT). The survey was conducted online between April
17 and 23, 2003 by Harris Interactive, with analysis of GLBT data provided by
Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc., a strategic public relations and marketing
communications firm with special expertise in GLBT issues.
"These numbers tell the same story we've been telling courts in this
country for years: the vast majority of Americans support the right to privacy
of all people, including gays and lesbians, and oppose anti-gay
discrimination," said Kevin Cathcart, executive director of Lambda Legal
Defense and Education Fund, the national gay rights organization bringing the
Supreme Court challenge to consensual sex laws.
Across the board, regardless of income, gender, age, region of the country,
or political philosophy, Americans overwhelmingly oppose state laws that
regulate sexual relations that occur in the private home of an adult same-sex
couple.
Key findings from this survey include:
- 75% of self-described Republicans oppose state laws that regulate sexual
relations that occur in the private home of an adult same-sex couple in a
domestic partnership (as do 88% of self-labeled Democrats). In addition,
seven out of 10 Americans (70%) who characterize their personal ideology as
"conservative" also oppose such laws.
- Americans from all regions in the U.S. express opposition to state
sodomy laws, including 76% of Southerners; 80% of Midwesterners; 88% of
Westerners; and 89% of Easterners who say they oppose state laws that
regulate the private, sexual relations of adult same-sex couples in a
domestic partnership.
- 66% of adults over the age of 50 agree the U.S. Supreme Court should
overturn state sodomy laws that apply solely to same-sex couples.
- A majority of all American adults surveyed said same-sex couples who
engage in private, consenting sexual relations should not be denied basic
rights and opportunities: 82% opposed denial of health benefits to a
couple; 87% opposed denial of rental housing; 74% opposed denial of
certain jobs, such as teaching; and 59% opposed denial of the right to
adopt children.
"These results are not surprising," commented David Krane, senior
vice president at Harris Interactive. "They closely align with findings
from previous studies we have conducted with Americans on privacy. The public
feels very strongly that the government should not interfere with matters
related to their personal privacy – and particularly, as this study shows,
with their choices related to sexual practices."
On March 26, 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments testing
Texas same-sex sodomy statute. This case, Lawrence v. Texas, will examine the
constitutionality of Texas law (and other similar state laws) that imposes
criminal charges on same-sex couples who have consenting sexual relations in
the privacy of their home.
Editorial Note: The national online survey was conducted between April 17
and 23, 2003 – and therefore, most of the data was collected prior to the
prominent media attention given to Senator Rick Santorum’s (R-PA) interview
last month with the Associated Press on sodomy laws and sexual privacy.
Notes on reading tables
GLBT refers to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender respondents. The
percentage of respondents has been included for each item. An asterisk (*)
signifies a value of less than one-half percent. A dash represents a value of
zero. Percentages may not always add up to 100% because of computer rounding
or the acceptance of multiple answers from respondents answering that
question.
TABLE 1
OVERTURN OR UPHOLD STATE LAWS
"Do you think that the U.S. Supreme Court should
overturn or uphold state laws that criminalize private, consenting sex between
same-sex couples, but allow that same conduct between opposite-sex
couples?"
Base: All Respondents
| |
Total %
|
Heterosexual %
|
GLBT %
|
|
Overturn
|
74
|
72
|
97
|
|
Uphold
|
26
|
28
|
3
|
TABLE 2
FAVOR OR OPPOSE STATE LAWS REGULATING CONSENTING SEXUAL
RELATIONS
"Do you favor or oppose state laws that regulate
consenting sexual relations that occur in the private home of an…?"
Base: All Respondents
| |
Favor %
|
Oppose %
|
|
Adult married opposite-sex couple
|
|
|
|
Total
|
13
|
87
|
|
Heterosexual
|
13
|
87
|
|
LGBT
|
8
|
92
|
|
Adult unmarried opposite-sex couple
|
|
|
|
Total
|
14
|
86
|
|
Heterosexual
|
14
|
86
|
|
LGBT
|
9
|
91
|
|
Adult same-sex couple in a domestic partnership
|
|
|
|
Total
|
18
|
82
|
|
Heterosexual
|
18
|
82
|
|
LGBT
|
9
|
91
|
|
Adult same-sex couple not in a domestic partnership
|
|
|
|
Total
|
18
|
82
|
|
Heterosexual
|
18
|
82
|
|
LGBT
|
9
|
91
|
TABLE 3A
FAVOR OR OPPOSE STATE LAWS REGULATING CONSENTING SEXUAL
RELATIONS
"Do you favor or oppose state laws that regulate
consenting sexual relations that occur in the private home of an…?"
Base: All Respondents
Percentage Who Oppose
| |
Region %
|
Age %
|
Gender %
|
| |
East
|
Mid-west
|
South
|
West
|
12-24
|
25-29
|
30-39
|
40-49
|
50+
|
Male
|
Female
|
|
Adult married opposite-sex couple
|
90
|
87
|
83
|
91
|
88
|
89
|
86
|
88
|
86
|
87
|
87
|
|
Adult unmarried opposite-sex couple
|
90
|
84
|
81
|
91
|
86
|
86
|
86
|
87
|
85
|
86
|
86
|
|
Adult same-sex couple in a domestic partnership
|
89
|
80
|
76
|
88
|
86
|
87
|
84
|
81
|
80
|
81
|
84
|
|
Adult same-sex couple not in a domestic partnership
|
88
|
80
|
76
|
88
|
88
|
88
|
84
|
80
|
79
|
81
|
84
|
TABLE 3B
FAVOR OR OPPOSE STATE LAWS REGULATING CONSENTING SEXUAL
RELATIONS
"Do you favor or oppose state laws that regulate
consenting sexual relations that occur in the private home of an…?"
Base: All Respondents
Percentage Who Oppose
| |
Race %
|
Party ID %
|
Political Philosophy %
|
| |
White
|
Black
|
Hispanic
|
Repub
lican
|
Demo
crat
|
Inde
pendent
|
Conserva
tive
|
Moder
ate
|
Liberal
|
|
Adult married opposite-sex couple
|
87
|
84
|
91
|
85
|
88
|
89
|
87
|
88
|
90
|
|
Adult unmarried opposite-sex couple
|
86
|
85
|
90
|
80
|
90
|
89
|
80
|
90
|
90
|
|
Adult same-sex couple in a domestic partnership
|
82
|
80
|
86
|
75
|
88
|
86
|
70
|
86
|
92
|
|
Adult same-sex couple not in a domestic partnership
|
82
|
80
|
89
|
74
|
88
|
86
|
70
|
86
|
92
|
TABLE 3C
FAVOR OR OPPOSE STATE LAWS REGULATING CONSENTING SEXUAL
RELATIONS
"Do you favor or oppose state laws that regulate
consenting sexual relations that occur in the private home of an…?"
Base: All Respondents
Percentage Who Oppose
| |
Education %
|
Income %
|
| |
H.S. or Less
|
Some Col.
|
Col. Grad
|
Post Grad
|
Less Than $15k
|
$15k-
$24.9k
|
$25k-
$34.9k
|
$35k-
49.9k
|
$50k-
$74.9k
|
$75k+
|
|
Adult married opposite-sex couple
|
82
|
88
|
92
|
95
|
87
|
81
|
82
|
84
|
88
|
91
|
|
Adult unmarried opposite-sex couple
|
80
|
88
|
90
|
91
|
84
|
80
|
84
|
83
|
86
|
91
|
|
Adult same-sex couple in a domestic partnership
|
78
|
81
|
89
|
90
|
81
|
77
|
81
|
82
|
83
|
86
|
|
Adult same-sex couple not in a domestic partnership
|
78
|
82
|
87
|
91
|
81
|
79
|
81
|
82
|
83
|
85
|
TABLE 4
OVERTURN OR UPHOLD STATE LAWS CRIMINZLIZING PRIVATE,
CONSENTING SEX BETWEEN SAME-SEX COUPLES
"Do you think that the U.S. Supreme Court should
overturn or uphold state laws that criminalize private, consenting sex between
same-sex couples, but allow that same conduct between opposite-sex
couples?"
Base: All Respondents
| |
Age 18-24 %
|
Age 25-29 %
|
Age 30-39 %
|
Age 40-49 %
|
Age 50+ %
|
|
Overturn
|
76
|
90
|
79
|
73
|
66
|
|
Uphold
|
24
|
10
|
21
|
27
|
34
|
TABLE 5
DENYING SAME-SEX COUPLES FROM CERTAIN ACTIVITIES
"Do you favor or oppose denying adult same-sex
couples any of the following because they have engaged in private, consenting
sexual relations…?"
Base: All Respondents
| |
Favor %
|
Oppose %
|
|
Denying certain jobs, such as teaching
|
|
|
|
Total
|
24
|
76
|
|
Heterosexual
|
26
|
74
|
|
LGBT
|
2
|
98
|
|
Denying the right to adopt children
|
|
|
|
Total
|
39
|
61
|
|
Heterosexual
|
41
|
59
|
|
LGBT
|
6
|
94
|
|
Denying rental housing
|
|
|
|
Total
|
12
|
88
|
|
Heterosexual
|
13
|
87
|
|
LGBT
|
1
|
99
|
|
Denying health insurance coverage
|
|
|
|
Total
|
17
|
83
|
|
Heterosexual
|
18
|
82
|
|
LGBT
|
1
|
99
|
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris
Interactive between April 17 and April 23, 2003, among a nationwide cross
section of 2,046 adults. Of those adults surveyed, 140, or approximately seven
percent, self-identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT).
Figures for age, sex, race, education and number of adults in the household
were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual
proportions in the population. "Propensity score" weighting was also
used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.
In theory, with a probability sample of this size, one can say with 95
percent certainty that the results have a statistical precision of plus or
minus two percentage points (for the overall sample) and plus or minus eight
percentage points (for the GLBT sample) of what they would be if the entire
adult population had been polled with complete accuracy. Unfortunately, there
are several other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are
probably more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They
include refusals to be interviewed (non-response), question wording and
question order, interviewer bias, weighting by demographic control data and
screening (e.g., for likely voters). It is impossible to quantify the errors
that may result from these factors. This online survey is not a probability
sample.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National
Council on Public Polls.
About Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc.
Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. (www.witeckcombs.com)
is the nation’s premier strategic marketing communications firm,
specializing in reaching the gay and lesbian consumer market. With over nine
years experience in this unique market, Witeck-Combs Communications has
developed respected relationships throughout the community and serves as a
bridge between corporate America and gay and lesbian consumers. In April 2003,
American Demographics named Bob Witeck and Wes Combs as two of the
nation’s top 25 most notable leaders in demographic, market research and
niche trends of the past 25 years.
About Harris Interactive®
Harris Interactive (www.harrisinteractive.com) is a worldwide market
research and consulting firm best known for The Harris Poll®,
and for pioneering the Internet method to conduct scientifically
accurate market research. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, U.S.A., Harris
Interactive combines proprietary methodologies and technology with expertise
in predictive, custom and strategic research. The Company conducts
international research through wholly owned subsidiaries—London-based HI
Europe (www.hieurope.com) and Tokyo-based Harris Interactive
Japan—as well as through the Harris Interactive Global Network of local
market-and opinion-research firms, and various U.S. offices. EOE
M/F/D/V
To become a member of the Harris Poll OnlineSM and be invited to
participate in future online surveys, visit www.harrispollonline.com.
Press Contacts:
Nancy Wong
Harris Interactive
585-214-7316
nwong@harrisinteractive.com
Darin Johnson
Witeck-Combs Communications
202-887-0500 ext. 13
djohnson@witeckcombs.com
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