Gays in the Military

YouGov
September 14, 2010, 7:58 PM GMT+0

Despite their support for Republican candidates for the U.S. House, Americans hold a view that is decidedly different from that of many in the Republican leadership on one issue: whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly in the U.S. military. In this week’s Economist/YouGov Poll, conducted after a U.S. federal judge declared unconstitutional the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that required homosexuals in the military to keep their orientation secret, Americans say they are ready to accept open military service by gays and lesbians. 63% believe gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly in the U.S. military, only 22% do not.

All age groups agree homosexuals should be allowed to serve openly. Men and women agree. Republicans are more closely divided, with 43% in support and 40% opposed. Conservatives oppose allowing gays to serve openly, 43% to 38%.

Conservatives, along with Republicans and those over 65, also disagree with the majority of Americans that homosexuality is a “way of life that should be accepted by society.” Among all Americans, 59% support acceptance of homosexuality as a way of life, while 41% do not.

On some questions, the divisions are closer. For example, 48% say homosexuality is a “choice.” 52% disagree. Those who say it is a lifestyle choice are less sympathetic towards open service by gays and lesbians in the military. And 45% also think that changing the current policy might be more detrimental to military cohesion than the current policy is. 55% see more danger to military cohesion in the current policy.

The Democratic Party has an advantage with the public in the general area of gay rights. Asked which party is closer to their personal views on the subject of gay marriage, 31% say the Democratic Party is, and just 24% name the Republican Party.

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