From: TmCampbell@aol.com Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 11:57:40 -0400 Subject: HRC Survey Questions TO MICHAEL'S LIST And Phil Attey, HRCcomm Here are the actual questions and responses on the HRC survey, from their web site. <> Their analysis of the is at the bottom and was picked up almost verbatim by AP articles broadcast to this list earlier. I think it is most curious that the respondents are twice told the questionnaire is about <> issues. Funny objective for a national survey. Too bad they did not ask people if they thought national gay rights groups out to help Hawaii. Unfortunately, they will use this survey to further justify their stinginess on that battle front. Tim Campbell Minneapolis ----------------------- NATIONAL SURVEY OF 354 GAYS, LESBIANS AND BISEXUALS Conducted June 7th - September 2nd, 1996 By Lake Research, Inc. SURVEY METHODOLOGY These findings are based on questions added to a series of polls conducted by the ICR Survey Research Group for Lake Research and the Human Rights Campaign. These survey were called by paid, trained and professionally supervised interviewers between June 7th, 1996 through September 2nd, 1996 and includes complete responses from 365 self identifying gay, lesbian or bisexual respondents. The overall data have been weighted to ensure that the universe from which the sub-sample of gays and lesbians were drawn accurately reflects the overall population, but the sub-sample has not been weighted in any way, as there is no applicable frame of reference for this population on which to base such decisions. The base sample is 354 cases, and the sample with weights applied is 322 cases. In interpreting survey results, all sample surveys are subject to possible sampling error; that is, the results of a survey may differ from those which would be obtained if the entire population were interviewed. The size of the sampling error depends upon both the total number of respondents in the survey and the percentage distribution of responses to a particular question. For example, on question 14, which all respondents answered, 52% of those interviewed said they have never contributed money to any national gay or lesbian organization. Therefore, we can be 95% confident that the true percentage will fall within 5.2% of this percentage, or from 46.8% to 55.2%. The table below represents the estimated sampling error for different percentage distributions of responses. Sampling Error by Percentage (at 95 in 100 confidence level) PERCENTAGES NEAR 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 SAMPLE SIZE 400 2.9 3.9 4.5 4.8 4.9 4.8 4.5 3.9 2.9 350 3.1 4.2 4.8 5.1 5.2 5.1 4.8 4.2 3.1 HRC: 96QUE1.314 WEIGHTED FINAL 1-4: ___ ___ ___ ___ September 1996 Hello. This is (caller name). I'm calling from _________________. I would like to ask you a few questions concerning the problems facing our state and local communities. We are not selling anything, and I will not ask you for a contribution or donation. Could I please speak with the (male/female) in your household, 18 years or older, who celebrated a birthday most recently? 1. Do you know any males that are gay or any females that are lesbian? [N= 28,282] yes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 no. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 (Refused/Don't know). . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 Are you yourself (for males: Gay or bisexual) (for females: a lesbian or bisexual). [N= 354] yes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 no. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 (Refused/Don't know). . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 3 How likely are you to vote in next year's election for President, U.S. Congress, and other offices -- are you almost certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances about 50-50, are will you probably not vote? almost certain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 probably. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 50-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 probably not. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 (Refused/Don't know). . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 In the 1996 election for President, if the candidates were [ROTATE] Democrat Bill Clinton and Republican Bob Dole for whom would you vote? Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Dole. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 (Other) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 (Refused/Don't know). . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 5 In the 1996 election for President, if the candidates were [ROTATE] Democrat Bill Clinton, independent Ross Perot and Republican Bob Dole for whom would you vote? Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Ross Perot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Dole. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 (Other) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 (Refused/Don't know). . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 6 Now, thinking about the elections for U.S. Congress that will be held in November 1996-- if the election for U.S. Congress were being held today, would you be voting for the [ROTATE] Republican candidate, or the Democrat candidate in your district? Republican. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Democrat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 (Other) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 (Refused/Don't know). . . . . . . . . . . . .12 7 Now, I am going to read you a list of concerns that some people have mentioned. When it comes to things here in (state), please tell me which one of these you personally worry about the most: [READ AND ROTATE LIST] __jobs and the economy . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 __education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 __crime and drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 __health care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 __government spending. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 __taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 __the environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 __corruption in the government . . . . . . . . . 6 __declining moral values . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 (Refused/Don't know). . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 8 Now, thinking about elections for federal offices like the President, your Senators, or your member of Congress, how important are the candidate's positions on gay issues in determining your vote: One of the most important, I will not vote for a candidate whose positions do not agree with mine.. . . . 15 Very important, I will not vote for a candidate that opposes gay rights . . . . .27 Somewhat important, I consider many issues, and gay rights is one of them . . . . . . . . .31 A little important, I consider gay rights, but many other issues come first. . . . . . . . . . . .11 Not important, other issues always come first for me. . .11 (I do not plan to vote) . . . . . . . . . . . 1 (Refused/Don't know). . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Now, I'd like to ask you about some public figures. For each, please tell me whether you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression. If you haven't heard of the person {6}, or if you don't know enough about that person to have an impression {5}, just say so and we will move on. [READ FIRST NAME.] Do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression of [NAME]? very some some very no never READ FIRST fav fav unfav unfav opin heard __9 Bill Clinton. . . . . . . . . . . . .22 52 15 8 3 0 ROTATE __10 Al Gore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 50 12 7 11 2 __11 Bob Dole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 22 34 32 6 1 __12 Colin Powell . . . . . . . . . . . 25 35 10 8 16 6 __13 Hillary Clinton. . . . . . . . . . .25 40 16 13 6 1 14 Have you ever contributed money to any national gay or lesbian organization? Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 (Refused/Don't know) . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 15 Now, I am going to read you some words and phrases that some people have used to describe national gay and lesbian organizations. Please tell me how well you think each describes national gay and lesbian organizations -- very well, pretty well, not too well, or not well at all. If you don't know how well a word or phrase describes them, just say so and we'll go on. [READ FIRST ITEM.] Does that describe national gay and lesbian organizations very well, pretty well, not too well, or not well at all? very pretty not not (don't ROTATE well well well at all know) __16 Represent your political views . . . . . . . . 15 43 16 11 16 __17 Represent your views on gay and lesbian issues . . .21 41 14 8 15 __18 Share your priorities for issues facing the gay and lesbian community . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 40 17 8 17 __19 Effective, get things done . . . . . . . . . . 19 32 23 8 19 __20 Effective for gay and lesbians in the political arena. . . . .19 38 18 9 17 __21 Good at communicating with the gay and lesbian community . . . . . . . . . 22 35 17 8 19 Now for a completely different list. [READ FIRST ITEM.] Does that describe gay and lesbian organizations very well, pretty well, not too well, or not well at all? very pretty not not don't ROTATE well well well at all know __22 Too aligned with the Democratic party. . .10 29 21 18 22 __23 Too liberal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 18 26 28 17 __24 Involved in too many issues that aren't relevant to the gay and lesbian community . . . 8 19 34 22 17 Now I am going to read you a series of issues that affect lesbians and gay people in America, and for each one please tell me how important that issue is for national gay and lesbian organizations to be working on -- One of the most important, very important, somewhat important, only a little important, not at all important. [PROMPT AFTER EVERY THIRD: Is that one of the most important, very important, somewhat important, only a little important, not very important. [ROTATE Q11 TO Q12] One of Very Smwht Little Not Don't Most Impt Impt Impt Impt Impt Know 25 Securing a law that protects gay and lesbian people from discrimination on employment . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 51 8 2 3 6 26 Securing the right for gay and lesbian people to get married. . . . 13 31 25 8 16 6 27 Securing the right for gay and lesbian people to adopt children . .13 45 22 6 8 6 28 Securing a law that enhances penalties for hate crimes against gay and lesbian people . . . 25 50 12 3 4 6 29 Secure more funding for AIDS research, prevention and treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . 31 49 9 3 3 5 30 Work to change public opinion about gay and lesbian people . . . . . . . . . . .24 42 18 4 5 6 31 Fight federal and state laws that outlaw gay marriage . . . . . . . . . . . .16 35 21 9 12 6 Finally, I would like to ask you a few questions for statistical purposes only. 32 Generally speaking, do you consider yourself very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat conservative, or very conservative? very liberal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 somewhat liberal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 moderate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 somewhat conservative. . . . . . . . . . . . 11 very conservative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 (Refused/Don't know) . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 33 What is your age? 18-24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 25-29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 30-34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 35-39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 40-44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 45-49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 50-54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 55-59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 60-64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Over 64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 (Don't know/ refused). . . . . . . . . . . .1 34 Are you currently involved in a long-term, monogamous relationship with a partner? Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 (Refused/Don't know) . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 35 Some gay and lesbian people decide not to share information about their status with the people they work with. Have you shared the fact that you are (gay/ a lesbian) with the people at your place of work? Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 (Refused/Don't know) . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 36 Some gay and lesbian people decide not to share information about their status with their employers. Have you shared the fact that you are (gay/ a lesbian) with your employer? Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 (Refused/Don't know) . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 37 How about in the 1994 election for U.S. Congress in your district? Do you recall whether you voted for the [ROTATE] Republican candidate or the Democratic candidate in your district? Republican . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Democrat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Independent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Did not vote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Ineligible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 (Refused/Don't know) . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Strictly for verification purposes, may I have just your first name? And your phone number, to make sure it is correctly marked off of our list? That completes our public opinion survey. Thank you very much for your time and cooperation, and have a pleasant (day/evening). DEMOGRAPHICS TAKEN FROM ICR's EXCEL SURVEY PARTY ID Democrat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Independent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Republican. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 (Other/DK/Ref). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 AGE 18-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 25-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 30-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 35-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 40-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 45-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 50-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 55-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 60-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Over 64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 (Don't know/Refused). . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 EDUCATION Less than H.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 H.S. graduate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Some college . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 College graduate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Graduate school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Technical school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 YEARLY INCOME Less than $10k. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 $10k-$15k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 $15k-$20k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 $20k-$25k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 $25k-$30k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 $30k-$40k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 $40k-$50k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 $50k-$75k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Over $75k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 (Don't know) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 (Refused). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 MARITAL STATUS Single, never married . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Divorced. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Single, live with partner . . . . . . . . . . . 24 (Refused) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0 EMPLOYMENT STATUS Full time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Part time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Not employed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 (refused) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0 STATUS OF NON-WORKER Retired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Homemaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Student . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Temporarily unemployed. . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 (Disabled /Other). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 (Don't know) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 HOME Owned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Rented. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 (Don't know). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD One 29 Two 40 Three . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Four. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Five 4 Six . . .2 Seven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Eight or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 RACE White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Hispanic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 (Other). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 -------------------------- HRC'S OWN ANALYSIS OF THE DATA: A Survey Of 354 Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals Conducted June 7th - September 2nd, 1996 By Lake Research, Inc. Survey Methodology These findings are based on questions added to a series of polls conducted by the ICR Survey Research Group for Lake Research and the Human Rights Campaign. Those surveyed were called by paid, trained and professionally supervised interviewers between June 7th, 1996 through September 2nd, 1996 and includes complete responses from 354 self identifying gay, lesbian or bisexual respondents. The overall data have been weighted to ensure that the universe from which the sub-sample of gays and lesbians were drawn accurately reflects the overall population, but the sub-sample has not been weighted in any way, as there is no applicable frame of reference for this population on which to base such decisions. The base sample is 354 cases, and the sample with weights applied is 322 cases. In interpreting survey results, all sample surveys are subject to possible sampling error; that is, the results of a survey may differ from those that would be obtained if the entire population were interviewed. The size of the sampling error depends upon both the total number of respondents in the survey and the percentage distribution of responses to a particular question. For example, on question 19, which all respondents answered, 52% of those interviewed said they have never contributed money to any national gay or lesbian organization. Therefore, we can be 95% confident that the true percentage will fall within 5.2% of this percentage, or from 46.8% to 55.2%. The table below represents the estimated sampling error for different percentage distributions of responses. Sampling Error by Percentage (at 95 in 100 confidence level) PERCENTAGES NEAR 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 SAMPLE SIZE 400 2.9 3.9 4.5 4.8 4.9 4.8 4.5 3.9 2.9 350 3.1 4.2 4.8 5.1 5.2 5.1 4.8 4.2 3.1 Summary Two-thirds of gays and lesbians are almost certain to vote this November. Bill Clinton has a commanding lead in the race for President in both a two-way or a three-way scenario. Bob Dole is in a statistical tie with Ross Perot in a three-way. In 1994, a majority of gays and lesbians say they voted for Democratic candidates. In 1996, more than six-in-ten say they will vote for the Democrat in their district. The Republican Congress gets more gay and lesbian votes than Bob Dole. Gays and lesbians are most concerned about crime and drugs, with Jobs and the economy, education and health care also important. Bill Clinton and Al Gore are viewed most favorably overall, while two-thirds feel unfavorably toward Bob Dole. Gay and lesbian organizations are seen as best at communicating within the community, and representing their views. Gay and lesbians want organizations that represent them to concentrate on employment discrimination, AIDS, their personal safety and changing public opinion. Marriage is less important. Two-thirds of gays and lesbians are almost certain to vote this November. How likely are you to vote in next year's election for President, U.S. Congress, and other offices -- are you almost certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances about 50-50, or will you probably not vote? Bill Clinton has a commanding lead in the race for President in both a two-way or a three-way scenario. Bob Dole is in a statistical tie with Ross Perot in a three way. Democrats are solidly behind Bill Clinton in either scenario. In a 3-way race, more independents support Dole than Republicans, and Perot receives just over half of Republican support.* *The sample size among Republicans is very small, and should be cited with caution (38 cases). Bill Clinton and Al Gore are viewed most favorably overall, while two-thirds feel unfavorably toward Bob Dole. Now, I'd like to ask you about some public figures. For each, please tell me whether you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression. If you haven't heard of the person, or if you don't know enough about that person to have an impression, just say so and we will move on. In 1994, a majority of gays and lesbians say they voted for Democratic candidates. In 1996, more than six-in-ten say they will vote for the Democrat in their district. Gays and lesbians are most concerned about crime and drugs, with jobs and the economy, education and health care also important. A plurality say that a candidate's position on gay rights determines how they will vote. Now, thinking about elections for federal offices like the President, your Senators, or your member of Congress, how important are the candidate's positions on gay issues in determining your vote: A candidate's position on gay rights is more important to younger gays and lesbians. Now, thinking about elections for federal offices like the President, your Senators, or your member of Congress, how important are the candidate's positions on gay issues in determining your vote: Gay and lesbians want organizations that represent them to concentrate on discrimination, AIDS, their personal safety and changing public opinion. Now I am going to read you a series of issues that affect lesbians and gay people in America, and for each one please tell me how important that issue is for national gay and lesbian organizations to be working on -- One of the most important, very important, somewhat important, only a little important, not at all important. Men want gay and lesbian organizations to work on AIDS and job discrimination most, while women want them to focus on hate crimes, job discrimination and are much more interested in adoption and marriage. Now I am going to read you a series of issues that affect lesbians and gay people in America, and for each one please tell me how important that issue is for national gay and lesbian organizations to be working on -- One of the most important, very important, somewhat important, only a little important, not at all important. Younger gays and lesbians have stronger opinions about what organizations should be working on overall. Older gays and lesbians want the focus on AIDS, hate crimes, job discrimination, and changing public opinion. Now I am going to read you a series of issues that affect lesbians and gay people in America, and for each one please tell me how important that issue is for national gay and lesbian organizations to be working on -- One of the most important, very important, somewhat important, only a little important, not at all important. Gay and lesbian organizations are seen as best at communicating within the community, and representing their views. Now, I am going to read you some words and phrases that some people have used to describe national gay and lesbian organizations. Please tell me how well you think each describes national gay and lesbian organizations -- very well, pretty well, not too well, or not well at all. If you don't know how well a word or phrase describes them, just say so and we'll go on. While less than a majority agrees, some believe that gay and lesbian organizations are too aligned with the Democrats. Now, I am going to read you some words and phrases that some people have used to describe national gay and lesbian organizations. Please tell me how well you think each describes national gay and lesbian organizations -- very well, pretty well, not too well, or not well at all. If you don't know how well a word or phrase describes them, just say so and we'll go on. THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN http://www.hrcusa.org