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Harris Poll: Over 2-to-1, U.S. Favors Employment Bias Ban

American Citizens Approve Passing Protective Federal Law

Many Wrongly Think Gays Now Shielded from Job Losses

Compiled by GayToday

Rochester, New York-- By more than 2-to-1 most adults favor a federal law to prohibit job discrimination against gays or lesbians. The number in favor varies somewhat (from 61%-20% to 58%-29%) depending on the specific questions asked.

And, interestingly, many people (42% of all adults) believe that such a federal law prohibiting job discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation already exists.

The survey found, unsurprisingly, that adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) are overwhelmingly supportive of anti-discrimination legislation. They also are more likely to know that it does not exist now.

The Harris Interactive (Nasdaq: HPOL) study also found that those people who have a close friend or family member who is gay or lesbian (30% of all adults asked) are somewhat more supportive (varying from 73% to 59% in favor, depending on the question).

These are the results of The Harris Poll, a nationwide Harris Interactive study of 2,692 adults surveyed online between May 3 and 16, using the same methodology used by Harris Interactive to forecast the 2000 elections with great accuracy. The survey was designed with Witeck-Combs Communications, a marketing and communications firm with special expertise in the LGBT market.

Some findings say:

* 42% of adults when asked said that they thought that a federal law banning job discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation already exists. Many people (33%) admitted they did not know. Only 25% gave the correct answer that no such law exists. The LGBT population is better informed; 47% - but only 47% - gave the correct answer.

* The majorities who favor federal legislation to ban job discrimination against gays and lesbians closely vary from 58% to 29%, in reply to one question, to 61% to 24% for another and 61% to 20% for a third question.

Related Sites:

Harris Poll Tables

Because support for a proposal or policy can often vary widely depending on precise question wording, we asked three variations of the question, with one-third of the sample (approximately 900 people) answering each question.

One version of the question was very straightforward, asking respondents simply about support or opposition to a federal law that prohibits job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; the second version introduced a potential consequence to not having such a law; and the third described the law in more detail.

One notable finding was that matter how the question was expressed--whether individuals were informed that a federal law exists, or not--respondents answered favorably and nearly uniformly. In all three categories, roughly 6 out of 10 responded affirmatively in support of federal legislation to ban employment discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

It is also noteworthy that the question that generates the strongest opposition to anti-discrimination legislation also refers to "gays and lesbians" and not just "sexual orientation." However, even in this case, a 58% to 29% majority supports anti-discrimination legislation.

It's also not surprising, that in the case where the least information was provided in the question wording, respondents were more likely to say they were "not sure" about the proposed legislation, and less likely to say they oppose it.