Volu m e I - Purdue University Calumet

Daniel Delgado
Purdue University Calumet
Tolerance of Gay Rights:
Determinations of Causal Mechanisms
Abstract Using data from a collected set compiled through the analysis program
SPSS, the following research examines the correlation between religious service attendance and
political tolerance for gay rights. Respondents taking part in the study proved a positive correlation
between the two variables, causing tolerance to increase as service attendance did the same. Those who
responded as having a low tolerance seemed to do so out of fear or personal insecurities. Views of other
individuals on homosexuality had great effect on a respondent along with the views of the religious
institution in which they participate. Taking into account other causal mechanisms that may alter
tolerance levels as well, such as a respondent’s age, religious preference, and the individual’s education
level all have some effect on how the respondent views issues such as those presented in this paper.
Tolerance of Gay Rights: Determinations of Causal Mechanisms
Reaching all the way into mid-20 th century, public opinion regarding tolerance to gay rights or
anything in relation was virtually nonexistent. It was not until the conduction of a Harris poll in 1965 that
light had really been shed on the issue. When asked if homosexuals were more harmful than helpful to
American life, an overwhelming seventy percent of respondents had revealed that the hope for a prosperous
lifestyle was threatened (Herek 41).
Roughly a decade later following the formation of the General Social Survey (GSS), another survey
of similar background was released. However, differing from its predecessor, the GSS had incorporated
questions concerning morality and tolerance (Herek 41). Paving the way for further public polls,
numerous surveys have since then stemmed from this time period.
Over the past fifty years, dramatic changes have been noticed in the way that the American public
feels towards gay rights. A common accord that has been struck amongst public opinion scholars is that
Americans rely greatly on their core beliefs to determine their views on issues such as these (Brewer 173).
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