Gay Today: World

Poll: Majority of Gays
Critical of Bush's Domestic Record

Compiled by GayToday
Zogby International & GLCensus

After a year in office, a majority of gays and lesbians respond negatively to the performance of George W. Bush on domestic issues

An overwhelming majority of gay and lesbian respondents in a new online survey give President George W. Bush a negative job performance rating on domestic issues, while at the same time strongly supporting the President's response against the terrorism attacks.

The collaborative efforts of Zogby International and GLCensus (a Syracuse University, OpusComm Group and GSociety Partnership), is the first large-scale endeavor to focus on the varied political views of the gay and lesbian population.

The Zogby/GLCensus Partners Poll, was conducted online of 1386 U.S. residents who identify themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The poll was conducted January 11-14th.

Poll results show four in five gay and lesbians (80%) rate Bush's job performance on domestic issues as either fair (36%) or poor (44%). An additional 18% rate his domestic performance as either good (15%) or excellent (3%).

At the same time, a majority (61%) rate the President's handling of the war against terrorism as either good (46%) or excellent (19%), compared to 39% who rate his anti-terrorism performance as either fair (27%) or poor (12%).

Regarding September 11th, an overwhelming majority (75%) of gay and lesbian respondents say they do not expect the U.S. government to care for the needs of same-sex survivors of the September 11th attacks, as it will for those of heterosexual survivors. Another 12% do believe the government will care for the needs of same-sex survivors equally and 14% are not sure.

Also, more than four in five gay and lesbian respondents (84%) say charities assisting survivors of the September 11th terrorist attacks should be required to disclose whether or not they provide equal assistance to gay and lesbian survivors. Another 11% disagree and 6% are not sure.

Regarding recent criminal prosecution of homosexuals in Saudi Arabia leading to the execution of three men, half (50%) say the U.S. should push for human rights reform in Saudi Arabia, another 24% say the U.S. should lodge a high profile complaint and 18% say the U.S. should complain and levy sanctions.

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
Bush Welfare Proposals Threaten GLBT Familes, says NGLTF

Tommy Thompson, Bush's Poor Choice for HHS Secretary

Bush's Choice for Education Post Crosses Church/State Divide?

Related Sites:
GLCensus Partners
GayToday does not endorse related sites.

Jeffrey Garber, OpusComm Group, partner of GLCensus Partners says:

"The U.S. is made up of many voices, and every community within our nation needs to be heard on issues that effect the nation, the GLBT community is no exception. This, the first major poll voicing GLBT political views in collaboration with one of nation's most respected polling firms, is of great significance for both the community and the country."