Running Head: THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMSEXUALITY

Alec Rzepkowski and Elisabeth Formica

The Generational Perspectives of Homosexuality
Queens University of Charlotte

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

2
There is no doubt that the conversation and debate over homosexuality has been
increasingly more and more prevalent. With the election of a young president, Barak Obama, in
2009, there has been much debate over the view on gay marriage in the white house and
proponents and opponents have been speaking out. The presentation over the debate of gay
marriage has become extremely more and more obvious in the media as well. This country was
founded on the basis of Religion and that has played a role in the varying views of homosexual
marriage along with many other factors. 16 States have legalized same-sex marriage and none of
which are in the lower eastern half of the country (CNN Library, 2013). However, each
generation has proved to have their differences in opinion on the topic on the morality of
homosexuality and given way to varying factors that may influence the perspectives in
generational context. A lot of factors will have an influence and factor into your opinion on
homosexuality, specifically marriage, but in the end everyone is entitled to formulate their own
opinion. Through our research on the generational view of homosexuality and marriage, we seek
to answer the question of if there is any significant generational difference of opinion, what
factors may influence those opinions and what trends may be seen because of it.
Literary Analysis
Over the years, the topic of same-sex marriage has had its spurts of debate or periods of
inactivity because of lack of attention by the media or public interest. There is no ambiguity to
the question if times were different in the middle of the 1900s. Views and upbringing were much
more traditional and breaking the norm was frowned upon. Now, in the year 2013, originality is
pursued, and sought after. The topic of same-sex marriage was not as prevalent or presented as
large as it is now and that is a fact. Whether it is the sheer number of homosexuals or just the
times changing, there is a clear difference in opinion from the Traditional point of view and the

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

3
now millennial. In a survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute to determine the
generational gap of opinion on same-sex marriage between Traditionals and Millennials, there
were clear-cut results. 62% of Millennials favored allowing same-sex couples to marry compared
to 31% of Traditionals favoring (Public Religion Research Institute, 2011). Participants were
asked several questions regarding their view on same-sex marriage, same-sex couples adopting
children, same-sex civil unions, and job discrimination as well. There was a 20-point percentage
gap in every fore mentioned category (Public Religion Research Institute, 2011). In a survey
done by ABC/Washington Post, results showed that women are more supportive of gay marriage
then men as well, by 18 percentage points. (UPI Top News, 2012) But with this increased recent
attention on the topic of same-sex marriage and the rights of homosexuals, what is the prospect
of seeing progressive change in the future?
In a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, based on the results of a previous survey
on May 15, 2013, participants were asked the question of if they believe that legal recognition of
same-sex marriage is inevitable (Gay Marriage: Key Data Points From Pew Research, 2013).
Among those who favor same-sex marriage, 85% stated that legal recognition of same-sex
marriage was inevitable. The surprising statistic is that for those who did not support same-sex
marriage, 59% stated that it is inevitable (Gay Marriage: Key Date Points from Pew Research,
2013). So do does this have to do with the steep rise in publicity and people are recognizing that
it will just get bigger and bigger until legal recognition happens? There is no debate that there
has been a shift in opinion favoring same-sex over recent years and it is becoming more and
more obvious the impact that Millennials are having over the voting. As far as political
designations are concerned, the attitudes possessed by both the Republican and Democratic
parties have been relatively on the same page. In a survey done by CBS News on Marriage

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

4
Equality, they found 56% of Republicans opposed gay marriage. However, in viewing the
breakdown by age, it was found that in Republicans under the age of 50, 49% answered that they
were in favor of gay marriage, with an opposition of 46% who oppose. (Sargent G, 2013)
From the research conducted by the Pew Research Center on the issue of inevitable
change in law on same-sex marriage and the work done by CBS News on the changing
Republican attitudes, it is clear that the millennial generation is having a larger impact on the
issue as their numbers grow and attitudes change. Each year, the attitude towards favoring samesex marriage over opposing it have increased, especially with both media attention and the
impact that Millennials are starting to have on the statistics as a whole. There is no ambiguity to
the shift in overall opinion to same-sex marriage. Polling conducted in 2003 by the Pew
Research Center found that 58% of Americans opposed same-sex marriage and 33% in favor. A
new survey, which was conducted in March of 2013, found there was a shift in opinion, with
now 49% in favor and 44% opposed (Survey: Generation at Odds: The Millennial Generation
and the Future of Gay and Lesbian Rights, 2013). This shift in public was solely because of the
millennial generation. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2003, 51% of millennials
supported same-sex marriage, and from the 2013 survey, now 70% are in favor. The population
and presence of the millennials has caused this shift as well. In 2003, millennials made of 7% of
the American population, and now in 2013 they make up 27% of the population (Survey:
Generation at Odds: The Millennial Generation and the Future of Gay and Lesbian Rights,
2013). The noticeable shift in attitude and increasing numbers of millennials in favor of same-sex
marriage have also had dramatic effects on individual cases, and court rulings. A couple, who
married in California in 2008, are raising their voices to the current law against same-sex
marriage in Virginia, with the knowledge that public opinion is an ally to them (ODell, L. 2013).

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

5
When striking change occurs, especially on the topic of such a large issue in The United
States, one must always demand a second look and critically examine the credibility and find out
the explanation for the results. The group over at Pew Research Center decided to take a second
look at the numbers for and opposing same-sex marriage and discovered that a social
desirability bias may be at work, or the likeliness that people will give what they believe as
socially acceptable over true feelings. Political scientist Richard J. Powell, using pre-polling data
from states voting on same-sex marriage that opposition to it was underestimated by 5 to 7 points
compared to the actual voting results (Study: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage may be
Understood in Public Opinion Polls, 2013). However, this may not necessarily apply to the
Millenials, who do not hold their tongue because of what they have seen throughout history.
Hayley, Elliot-Kermot of the Taranaki Daily News affirms that the younger generations, both
Generation X and Millennials have experience and been taught more throughout their lifetimes
and have always learned to fight and stand up for equality (Elliot-Kernot, H. 2013).
There are many factors that can tie into why an individual possesses a certain opinion and
gender, age, culture and upbringing can determine what is of value to you and how your
priorities are listed. A survey by Gallup polling shares light as to why particular generations
favor a particular view on homosexual marriage. This Gallup study was conducted in 2012 and
examined the clinical reasons as to why an individual favors or opposes same-sex marriage.
Through their polling, it was revealed that in the 46% of adult Americans who opposed same sex
marriage, 47% of them stated it was because of their religious beliefs and 20% stated that it was
because of the belief marriage should be between a man and a woman. (Gallup Politics, 2012)
Of the 53% of adult Americans who favored same-sex marriage, the majority reasoning was split
evenly between Equal Rights/Freedoms and Personal Choice/Happiness at 32% for each. (Gallup

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

6
Politics, 2012) So it can be seen that a variety of factors may influence a particular attitude
toward the object of same-sex marriage.
Methodology
Through the evaluation of these scholarly surveys and research, we were able to get a
good baseline as to what would be hot topics that would yield results and display trends in the
generational context. We chose to evaluate the participants through the primary investigation of
the attitude towards same-sex marriage, media influence, aspect of time changing opinion, and
education. We chose to create a 23-question survey which included these components intermixed
throughout. The results for Traditionals were acquired through the environment of a hospital and
those coming in and out. We do not believe that these showed any variables. The Boomer and
Generation X results were supplied by the relatives in both of our families. We believe that there
may be a slight variable and the relationship that we had with the participants, and if they truly
expressed how they felt or if they were a part of the Social Desirability Bias. The Millennial
results were obtained through the students at Queens University of Charlotte. We also believe
that there may be a variable of the environment playing a role in opinion, being that it is a liberal
arts college. However, it attracts students from different cultures all over the world which offset
this. The surveys were then organized into generation and results were calculated. Here is a copy
of our survey which we obtained our data and results from.

Alec Rzepkowski
Elisabeth Formica

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

7
1. Gender
_____Male
2.

____ Female

Year you were born __________

3. Status
Single

In a Relationship

Married

Divorced

4. Education Level Received

Elementary School
Middle School
High school
Partial college
Full Undergraduate
Graduate School/Masters Degree
Doctorates Degree
5. Did you vote in the last Presidential Election?
Yes

No

6. Do you have any family members that have associated themselves as being homosexual?
Yes

No

7. Do you have any friends that associate themselves as being homosexual?

Yes

No

8. Have you at any time had any friends that were/are homosexual?
Yes

No

9. I believe in Equal Rights.

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree Strongly Agree

7

10

10. I think it is right for two men or two women to act romantically toward each other in public.
Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree
7

Strongly Agree
9

10

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

8
11. I believe being homosexual is something that is a choice by that person.
Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree
9

10

12. I would rather not have my children's teacher be homosexual.

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree
9

10

13. Do you support the Equal Opportunity Act?

Yes

No

14. I believe marriage is something that should be cherished only between man and woman.
Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree
9

10

15. I believe that homosexuals should receive the same marriage rights as heterosexuals.
Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree
9

10

16. Circle the degree to which each statement applies to you.

-I believe that all humans are created equal regardless of their gender preference or sexuality.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
- I believe that all humans are created equal but some should keep it to themselves.
1
-

Im not really sure what I believe, to each his own.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
1

10

Strongly Agree
8

10

-I believe we are entitled to our own opinion, but traditional family structure and relationships
should be cherished.
Strongly Disagree
1

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree
8

10

-I do not believe homosexuals should be able to marry or parent children.

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

9
Strongly Disagree
1

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree
8

10

- Having fought for Civil and Equal Rights means everyone should be treated equally
with equal opportunity.
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
1

10

17. My view on homosexuality has changed as I have aged.

Strongly Disagree
1

Disagree
3

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree
8

10

18. I voted for or against homosexual marriage, in the state of my residence.

Yes

No

N/A

19. I believe that the Bible does not agree with homosexual relationships.
Strongly Disagree
1

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree
8

10

20. I believe that the media has affected my view on homosexual marriage in a positive way.
Strongly Disagree
1

Disagree
3

Neutral
5

Agree
6

Strongly Agree
8

10

21. I believe that the media has affected my view on homosexual marriage in a negative way.
Strongly Disagree
1

Disagree
3

Neutral
5

Agree
6

Strongly Agree
7

10

22. I believe family is the most important thing.

Strongly Disagree
1
23.

Disagree
3

Neutral
5

Agree
6

Strongly Agree
8

10

I believe that everyone has the right to the pursuit of happiness and love; the government
should stay out of it.
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
1

Survey Results

10

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

10

The statement: I believe being homosexual is something that is a choice by the person
yielded some of the most varying in opinion responses. In particular, when corrilated with
education level, the majority of the participants who strongly disagreed revealed they had
achieved partial college, along with disagreement by those achieving full undergraduate. This
reveals that education played a strong factor in viewal of if homosexuality was something that
was born with. When counting the surveys, 11 out of the 15 millennials listed partial college
and this plays into their views on individual differences and acceptance, leading to included
support of same-sex marriage.

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

11
This was our most direct and revealing statement. I do not think homosexuals should be
able to marry and parent children. From what we have learned in class as the generations,
homosexuality has become increasingly more accepted through the generations, especially with
the Millennials who are the most supportive. What we were personally was surprised about was
that not one traditionalist answered strongly disagree, and answered either they agreed with the
statement or were neutral and this may give way to the idea that opinions can change with age.

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

12
For the statement, I believe that the media has affected my view on homosexual marriage in a
positive way was again mostly agreed upon by the millennias. But we do feel that this has a lot
to do with the Liberal Arts College of Queens we have taken courses that associate the classes
around political and whats going on in the media, and the results show that millennials agree
with the more prevalent presentation of the topic of homosexuality. In particular, the millennias
are also more accepting and receptive to the media and what is being presented to them. It can be
also be noted the strong disagreement by the Boomer population who possess strong opinions
and are less-receptive to the media.

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

13
In regard to the statement, I believe that everyone has the right to pursuit of happiness and love;
the government should stay out of it gave the following results. Personally what we found
surprising was that not a single millennial answered disagree or strongly disagree. Also, no
participants answered strongly disagree at all. This gives rise to the current and changed attitude
toward equal rights and government dependability. What we also found surprising was that the
Boomers were the ones who mostly strongly agreed with this statement. During the time of the
Boomers young age, the Civil Rights move was going on, Sexual Revolution and the Woodstock
era at its peak. At their time, the pursuit of happiness and love possibly held a different meaning
compared to today.

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

14
Concluding Thoughts
To summarize our results, our hypothesis was supported that there clearly was a clear
generational difference in opinion on homosexuality and same-sex marriage. From the research
we have conducted, Millennials were much more open to gay rights and individuality compared
to any other generation, but the Boomers felt more strongly about individual rights and civil
rights for any other citizen. With this being said, Traditionalists that were surveyed were the least
educated out of all generations and had the most narrow view point on the topic of
homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Although many have altered attitudes, traditional
upbringing, religious beliefs, and social structure still fuel reason for opposition of same-sex
marriage. Along with this the traditionalists also had a very different outlook of media compared
to what it is today and the issue of same-sex marriage was not as large. The Boomers overall
were very strong with their views on gay rights but as we described before, they felt very
strongly about pursuit of happiness, love and the civil rights of other citizens while, serving as an
overlying belief for them. The Gen Xers were overall very similar to the Millennials in being
very educated and typically had very open ideas about homosexuality. Overall, it can be said that
each generation clearly has displayed their difference of opinion, shared characteristics, and
displayed factors that have influenced those attitudes that currently fuel the raging debate over
homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

15
References
(2012, Nov 15). Poll finds generation gap on gay marriage. UPI Top News. Retrieved Dec 5,
2013, from Ebsco Host: Newspaper Source Plus
CNN Library,. (2013, Nov. 29 ). In Same Sex Marriage Fast Facts. Retrieved Dec. 5, 2013, from
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/28/us/same-sex-marriage-fast-facts/
Elliot-Kernot, H.. (2013, Jul 16). Young people to fore in gay rights campaign. Taranaki Daily
News. 8. Retrieved Dec 5, 2013, from Ebsco Host: Newspaper Source Plus
Gallup Politics. Gallup, Inc. (2012, Dec 5). Religion Big Factor for Americans Against Same-Sex
Marriage. Gallup, Inc.
O'dell, L.. (2013, Nov 30). Plaintiffs in gay marriage suit say minds changing. AP Regional State
Report-Virginia. Retrieved Dec 5, 2013, from Ebsco Host: Newspaper Source
Plus
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. Pew Research Center. (2013, Mar 20).Growing
Support for Gay Marriage: Changed Minds and Changing Demographics.
Washington, D.C, Pew Research Center.
Pew Research Center. (2013, Jun 11). Gay Marriage: Key Data Points From Pew Research.
Washington, D.C, Pew Research Center.
Pew Research Center. (2013, Sep 30). Study: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage may be
Understood in Public Opinion Polls. Washington, D.C, Pew Research Center.

THE GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

16
Public Religion Research Institute. (2011, Sep 28). Survey: Generation at Odds: The Millennial
Generation and the Future of Gay and Lesbian Rights. Washington, D.C, Public
Religion Research Institute.
Sargent, G.. (2013, Mar. 26 ). In Among Republicans, A Generational Divide on Gay Marriage.
Retrieved Dec. 5, 2013, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plumline/wp/2013/03/26/among-republicans-a-generational-divide-on-gay-marriage/