A new report from Gallup finds that American attitude towards LGBT+ issues have shifted dramatically in just 40 years. In 1977, just 56% of people reported that LGBT+ people should have equal employment opportunities – now that number has increased to 97%. Within the timespan of a generation, it seems, American opinion has progressed in favor of many LGBT+ issues.
The report reveals remarkable granular advances:
- 95% of Americans are in favor of LGBT+ people being hired as salespeople (versus 68% in 1977)
- 91% of Americans are in favor of LGBT+ people being hired as doctors (versus 44%)
- 83% of Americans are in favor of LGBT+ people being hired as members of the armed forces (versus 51%)
- 81% of Americans are in favor of LGBT+ people being hired as elementary-school teachers (versus 27%).
Decades ago, just 43% of Americans believed gay or lesbian relations between consenting adults should be legal – that number has now increased to 83%.
The findings show a positive trend towards equality, but LGBT+ advocates maintain that anything short of 100% on such issues is too low, as LGBT+ people still face discrimination and abuse at higher rates than straight people do.
Read more at Market Watch.