In another sign that times are changing and changing fast, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows 75% of Americans support allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.
The percentage of Americans who say they support gays openly serving is the same as a Post-ABC News poll found in July 2008; both are far above the 44 percent who said so in May 1993. In the new poll, majorities across party lines favor such a policy, with support among Democrats (82 percent) and independents (77 percent) higher than among Republicans (64 percent).
The poll also reveals several sharp demographic divides. Men (65 percent) and seniors (69 percent) are far less likely than are women (84 percent) and young adults (81 percent under age 30) /* indicative of the future of this cultural tide */ to say that gays should be allowed to serve if they have disclosed their sexual orientation. Knowing a gay person makes a big difference: Among those who say they have a gay friend or family member, 81 percent support allowing gay people to serve openly, compared with 66 percent who say they do not know someone who is gay. /* Yup! We would almost eradicate homophobia is all gays and lesbians came out. Suddenly everyone would have a gay friend or family member. I have seen how this forces people to re-evaluate their positions. */