ian lifestyles and partnerships and the consequences for American society with a focus on family structure.
General Attitudes Toward Gays and Lesbians
A 2001 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed that more than 76 percent of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals believe that there is greater acceptance of their sexual orientation by the general public (Wellner, 2001). The survey also revealed that 73 percent of Americans believe that laws against hate crimes should include crimes against homosexuals and bisexuals, while 76 percent would support extending discrimination laws in employment to protect diverse sexual orientations.
Wellner (2001) noted that support for legally sanctioned gay and lesbian marriages appears to be increasing. In 1992, just 27 percent of Americans supported widening the legal definition of marriage. In 2000, 39 percent were in favor of this policy.
The growing mood of acceptance is likely tied to an increase in the percentage of people who claim to know someone who is gay, lesbian, or bisexual. More than 7 in 10 people, says Wellner (2001), claim they know someone who is gay or lesbian, up from 55 percent in 1998. Over time, as more and more Americans interact socially, professionally, and in educational settings with members of the gay and lesbian community, acceptance of diverse sexual orientations has begun to increase.
The Christian Century (Gay discrimination opposeda, 2000) recently reported that the majority of Americans favor legislation opposing discrimination against gays. By a substantial number of Americans continue to express doubts about same-sex marriages and gay or lesbian adoptions. The Harris Poll of 1999 revealed that:
57 percent of respondents rejected same-sex marriage
for men and 55 percent disapproved of it for women;
the overall percentage of those approving same-sex marriage increased by a factor of 50 percent n comparison to four years earlier;...