I just received this email:
I am very excited to share with you a major study of voting patterns related to Proposition 8.
The study, authored by Professor Kenneth Sherrill of Hunter College-CUNY and Professor Patrick J. Egan of New York University, was funded by the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund and released in collaboration with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Freedom to Marry and Equality California Institute’s Let California Ring campaign.
Based on polling data funded by Equality California Institute and conducted by David Binder Research, the study found that voters who supported Prop 8 were primarily influenced by:
- Ideology – 82% of voters who identify as conservatives voted “Yes”
- Party – Republicans voted more than 80% in favor of Prop 8
- Religiosity – 70% of weekly church goers voted “Yes”
- Age – 67% of voters born before World War II voted “Yes”
The study also showed that race was not a driving factor in the election, as was purported by the National Election Pool (NEP) poll which said 70% of African-Americans voted for Prop 8. Our study found the number closer to 57% to 59%.
One of the most important--and rewarding--findings was the movement in all groups, except Republicans, toward support for full marriage equality. From 2000 to 2008 we moved Californians 9% in support of same-sex marriage – an amazing change in such a short time!
We will continue our outreach in all California communities and we encourage you to continue sharing your stories with the people in your life as a powerful tool to create change.
Warmly,
Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California Institute
I could use some news of progess - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI was pleased to see that the African-American vote wasn't as high in favor of Prop 8 as previously thought. That alone is encouraging, as when that news came out and was much discussed in the media, it really made me sad.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I often make comparisons between the civil rights and GLBT movements.
The main thing to keep in mind is that religion is the largest root cause of heterosexism.
ReplyDeleteLibhomo: I totally agree.
ReplyDeleteGreat update. Now if they will only go after the Mormon church for its involvement in Government. They need their tax exempt status revoked. And Harry Reid (Mormon moron needs to go as well) gives 10 to 15% of his income as tithing to the Mormon Church. So does Mitt(too rich and without ethics) Romney.
ReplyDeleteNow I feel better.
Thanks for posting this - it was encouraging.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your new expression of your self in your sidebar; and even more, the photo of you. Nice to finally see you (and another photo of one of your SG's).
The main thing to keep in mind is that religion is the largest root cause of heterosexism.
ReplyDeleteUm, homophobic religion is. There are other kinds.
JCF, whose Episcopalian father in California is old enough to have fought in WW2, and *he* voted AGAINST Prop H8! ;-)
Steve, yes, that sidebar pic is totally gorgeous, isn't it? Two of my three favorite people!
ReplyDeleteAnd Gina, thanks for this bit of encouraging news.
We "allies" need to carry this banner and bring the world along; ten percent just isn't enough in ANY election.
thanks for posting this . it is interesting.
ReplyDeleteKeep posting........
they really do need to make clear that politics from the pulpit will get you taxed on your income!!!
ReplyDeleteand then TAX them!
JCF: I think it's common knowledge that the Episcopalians are a lot more tolerant of GLBT people than most religious groups. At least that's what I've gathered from looking at blogs that are both progressive and religious.
ReplyDeleteThe Mormons I have no soft-spot for, however.
Femin Susan: thanks for stopping by. It's nice to have a new reader!
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm glad you took the time to read the side-bar stuff. I take pains with my side-bar! :D
As for pictures of me...they're around if you look for them. I've never been a center-stage person...I hadn't really given it a lot of thought until JCF started asking about pictures of me. But when he did, I just realized that the same patterns I naturally follow in the real world (so to speak), present themselves here on the blog as well.
But to satisfy all curiosities. That's me. My hair is probably 95% silver now. It runs in the family. I choose not to color it and the SGs, WP and CR all beg me not to go back to coloring, so I take it they like me this way! :-) SG1 calls my hair "unicorn hair". Which is very sweet and magical-sounding and makes me happy cuz I'm such a sap for whimsy.
I wrote a post in the very beginnings of this blog about not coloring my hair and it ended up being featured on a pro-gray hair website. If you're interested, click on Going Gray on my blog list and you'll see it and another photo of me taken in London.
I'm nothing fancy. A middle-aged woman who, after turning 40, is constantly battling weight gain. And so what. I'm healthy and strong and happy. Being a certain dress size has never particularly interested me.