News

Groundbreaking New Poll of Republican Base Shows Strong Support for Gay Rights

Nearly 80% of Republicans Support Employment Non-Discrimination Protection for Gays

June 27, 2007

(Washington, DC) – A groundbreaking new poll released today by leading GOP pollster Tony Fabrizio shows that Republican voters support basic fairness for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation. The poll found, among other things, strong Republican support for employment non-discrimination and allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. military.

"This poll shows very encouraging results. It validates what we've been saying for a long time. Average Republicans are much more supportive of gay rights than some on the far right would like people to believe," said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. "What is most remarkable is that this is a poll of self-identified Republicans – not independents or Republican-leaning voters. This poll makes it clear that the much talked about "base" of the GOP fundamentally believes in basic fairness for all Americans."

Among the poll's findings:

• In a remarkable show of unity on a bill that will come up for a vote in the U.S. House this summer, an overwhelming 77% of Republicans believe an employer should not have the right to fire an employee based solely on their sexual orientation. Even among social conservatives, 67% don't believe an employer should be able to fire someone for being gay. "Republicans in Congress who will vote later this summer on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should take these numbers to heart," said Sammon. "Rank and file Republicans support this common sense legislation."
• 49% of Republicans believe gays and lesbians should be able to serve openly in the U.S. military, while 42% are opposed.
• 43% of Republicans support either marriage equality or civil unions. 51% oppose all relationship recognition. "There's much more work to be done educating Republicans about this issue, but we're encouraged that almost half of Republicans support basic fairness for gay and lesbian families," said Sammon.
• 53% of respondents agree that "the Republican Party has spent too much time focusing on moral issues such as abortion and gay marriage and should instead be spending time focusing on economic issues such as taxes and government spending."
• When asked "What issue do you think best defines the Republican Party today?" only 5% said "traditional marriage/family values." 85% selected other issues, including the war on terrorism, immigration, homeland security, national defense, taxes and the economy.

The poll shows sharp disagreement on a range of social issues, however Republicans are united on some core priorities:

• 78% believe we should balance the federal budget
• 66% believe the government is too big
• 80% believe the federal government spends too much
• 69% believe taxes are too high and only 1% believe they aren't high enough

The GOP also is united in its support for enforcing existing immigration laws and waging an aggressive war on terror. "Our Party's agenda should focus on the core principles that unite GOP voters," said Sammon. "The politics of division is a recipe for defeat."

The survey of 2,000 self-identified Republican voters was conducted via telephone and online between May 28th and June 3rd 2007. It has a margin of error of +/-2.2%. The poll included Republicans from all parts of the country – with the largest percentage (38%) from the South. Leading GOP pollster and strategist Tony Fabrizio, from Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates, conducted the survey. He served as the pollster for Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign. Log Cabin joined three other mainstream Republican organizations to help underwrite a portion of this poll.