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Out of the Closet and Into the Polling Booth

There are more queers in the heartland than there were five years ago, according to a new analysis of 2005 Census data released [PDF] by the Williams Institute, a think tank focused on sexual orientation. Nationwide, the number of out same-sex couples increased by 30 percent in five years—five times the 6 percent growth rate of the general population. The Midwest saw the largest gains.

The study suggests that far from driving gays and lesbians into the closet or into Straight to Jesus programs, anti-gay ballot measures may be helping bring gays and lesbians out of the closet. States that were among the first to forbid same-sex marriage have seen greater than average growth in the number of same-sex couples living together and announcing it on government forms. The surge may surprise supporters of the anti-gay measures on the ballot in eight states: In six of those states, the number of same-sex couples has increased by 30 percent or more since the 2000 Census.

The larger numbers of gay and lesbian voters may affect more than just gay issues in November. As it turns out, of the 10 states that have seen the number of same-sex couples increase by half or more, eight figure among the key congressional races in the upcoming election.

Pollsters have hardly been in hot pursuit of how gays and lesbians will vote.

Comments

Yes, I believe the gays may save us from the ignorant majority who love to check the ballets! PRESENT! I just walked by a young man asking if I wanted to help support gay rights today. Me being in my busy New Yorker stride said "yes, but I have to go right now, I'm sorry." But, perhaps, this is what he was street tallying for! I sure hope so and if I walk by him a second time, I will selfishly stop and find out, knowing now that it could also effect ME. Oh, the self indulgent lives we lead! Cheers!

Posted by: Shareshten on 10/12/06 at 11:46 AM

GreginOz, wow what incredible prose! You must be proud of your high school dropout education.

Now go to your Klan rally and do your bigoted spouting and leave us the hell alone.

Posted by: Warren_Zen on 10/13/06 at 1:15 PM

I hope the gay community will awake at last, move en masse to the polls and send these G.O.P. stubborn bigots back to their dungeons.
Rol

Posted by: rol on 10/14/06 at 2:41 AM

I hope the gay community will awake at last, move en masse to the polls and send these G.O.P. stubborn bigots back to their dungeons.
Rol

Posted by: rol on 10/14/06 at 2:43 AM

Well, this blog just an all time LOW! Mr. scotts use of the word "queer", GreginOz's use of valgar language & Mr. Zen's arrogant reference to "high school dropouts",are about as low as it can get! Valgur, bullying language seems to be in vogue with the current right wing currently running this country. Lets lift ourselves above this and have a more "intelligent" discussion!

Posted by: Ranselar VanDerpoel on 10/14/06 at 6:30 AM

You might find it instructive to read NY Times article "In the Heartland and Out of the Closet," published on Dec 28, 06, as the reporter describes the spike in number of gay Kansans coming out in response to the marriage amendment campaign and the bible thumping of a few televangelists that led up to it.

Posted by: Cyd R Slayton on 12/29/06 at 8:34 AM

Hi Cyd,

I'm a Kansas native (went to KU undergrad) but now live in Seattle. I nearly fell over when I came across the "Heartland" story in the Times. It's about time. What you're doing is long overdue, and I'm so glad you're finding support where it seemed unlikely. You're doing something I never had the full support or courage to do in Kansas, and I applaud you loudly.

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Out of the Closet and Into the Polling Booth

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