This blog originally appeared at TAI News.
Polling conducted by Data for Progress shows 72% of Democrats, 65% of independents and 55% of Republicans think there is too much legislation targeting LGBTQ rights.
Human Rights Campaign organized a rally and march on Sunday, May 1, 2016 from the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson to the Governor’s Mansion to protest HB 1523 which was signed into law in April.
A recent poll conducted by Data for Progress reveals that a majority of likely voters believe Republican lawmakers are going too far with legislation targeting civil rights for transgender and LGBTQ individuals. The poll shows that 64% of respondents, including a majority of Democrats, independents, and even Republicans, agree that the large number of bills (429 in total) targeting the rights of trans and gay people is excessive and seen as political theater. Additionally, the poll highlights that 11 states have already passed restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors, while anti-trans legislation has been introduced in 47 states this year.
The poll conducted by Data for Progress also indicated that a clear majority of likely voters support pro-trans positions. About 57% of respondents agreed that transgender identities are a natural phenomenon throughout history and that it’s normal for individuals to identify outside traditional gender norms. Additionally, 69% of respondents believed that transgender adults should have the freedom to change their bodies as they wish.
While support for these statements was higher among Democrats and independents, even 55% of Republicans agreed that trans adults should be allowed to change their bodies. However, only 34% of Republicans believed that trans identities are natural.
The poll also highlighted a need for better understanding of trans issues among the public. Respondents significantly overestimated the percentage of trans and nonbinary individuals in the U.S., with an average estimate of 21% compared to the actual 1.6%. Additionally, misconceptions persisted about regret in transition, with respondents guessing that 29% of those who transition later regret their decision, while the actual rate is only 1-8%.
Interestingly, the poll showed that personal connections played a role in shaping support for trans and nonbinary people. Knowing a trans or nonbinary person increased the likelihood of support for their rights and understanding their experiences.
The poll was conducted through a web panel survey of 1,220 likely voters across the U.S. and took place from March 24 to March 26. It had a margin of error of ±3%. The results highlight the significant divide in public opinion regarding LGBTQ rights and the need for ongoing education and awareness efforts.
“Among those who do not know a trans or nonbinary person, 45 percent view them as a threat to children and 32 percent see them as a threat to heterosexual families,” the report’s authors wrote. “However, among those who do know a trans or nonbinary person, these figures drop to 27 percent and 16 percent, respectively.”
According to the poll, only 33% of respondents stated that they personally knew someone who identifies as trans or nonbinary, while 58% said they did not know anyone with those identities. Among Democrats, the number of respondents who knew someone who is trans or nonbinary was 36%, while it was 39% for independents and 25% for Republicans.
The report’s authors highlighted that 56% of likely Democratic voters agreed that the party could energize its base by taking a strong stance against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. However, 37% of likely Democratic voters believed that the party was already doing enough on LGBTQ+ rights.
The authors emphasized the importance of educating the American public about the experiences of trans and LGBTQ+ communities, suggesting that increased awareness and understanding could lead to greater support for efforts aimed at protecting their rights.
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