Date: Wed, 1 Mar 1995 10:41:25 -0500 From: Chris Hagin To: Multiple recipients of list GLB-NEWS Subject: Sydney poll shows strong support for gays and lesbians COMPILED FROM NEWS SERVICE DISPATCHES Date: Tue, 28 Feb 1995 Sydney poll shows strong support for gays and lesbians SYDNEY, March 1 -- A majority of Sydney residents in a poll published Wednesday by the Sydney Morning Herald expressed support for, and high tolerance of, gay and lesbian relationships. A majority of the 505 people questioned -- 58% -- said they considered it acceptable for adults to have a homosexual relationship, while 31% said it was wrong and 11% gave a ''don't know'' response. But whatever their personal opinions concerning the morality of homosexuality, Sydneysiders indicated a high tolerance toward homosexuals as neighbours or colleagues, and in regard to access to jobs and eligibility to stand for parliament. Ninety-three percent said gays and lesbians should have equal access to jobs. Eighty-two percent said they would be comfortable living next door to a gay or lesbian couple, and 84% said they would be comfortable working alongside a homosexual person. Nearly 70% said they would vote for someone standing for parliament even if the person involved was a declared gay or lesbian. People were more uneasy, however, about public displays of affection with 58% saying they were comfortable with gays or lesbians holding hands in public and only 29% saying they were comfortable with kissing in public. When asked how they would feel if a family member announced that they were homosexual, nearly half of respondents said they would find the situation difficult to cope with. But 30% of respondents said it would make little or no difference to them. Nineteen percent replied that it would be ''all right by me,'' 3% replied, ''I would be pleased about it,'' and 6% said they would be unable to cope. The poll was timed to coincide with this weekend's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney, which last year attracted more than 10,000 participants in a glamorous parade, watched by 600,000 people. S. CHRISTOPHER HAGIN | The Pledge of Allegance says: Atlanta 1996 | "With liberty and justice for ALL" chagin@mindspring.com | What part of ALL do you not understand? HATE IS NOT A FAMILY VALUE