Recent Poll: 35% of Americans are jerks.

[Boris Godunov]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/po/20020820/co_po/poll_indicates_acceptance_of_gay_athletes

Poll indicates acceptance of gay athletes
Mon Aug 19, 8:17 PM ET
Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network

SUMMARY: A recent opinion survey suggests that public acceptance of openly gay or lesbian professional athletes in America is generally favorable.

A recent opinion survey suggests that public acceptance of openly gay or lesbian professional athletes in America is generally favorable.

Results of the poll, conducted online last month with 2,191 adults nationwide, indicate that 65 percent of respondents would not feel differently about their favorite athlete if he or she was to reveal being gay or lesbian.

Seventy-eight percent, however, said that "other sports fans" were not so tolerant.

"In many tests of public opinion, when Americans are asked about their own discriminatory feelings - it's not unusual to hear them say that they, themselves, are more tolerant than others," said Bob Witeck, chief executive officer of Witeck-Combs Communications, which conducted the poll with Harris Interactive ( news - external web site).

In another survey question, responses demonstrated a clearer sense of support. When asked to choose a descriptive label for a popular male athlete who is openly gay, 76 percent chose positive descriptions, such as "honest," "courageous" or "being himself."

Regarding team sports versus individual sports, respondents felt that fans of team sports were much less accepting of gay or lesbian athletes than fans of individual sports.

Despite these findings, professional sports has not kept pace with many other professions in terms of welcoming openly gay and lesbian members. Last May, after a Mets manager suggested in an interview that his team could handle having a gay player, a media frenzy of speculation erupted. The incident prompted one player, catcher Mike Piazza, to insist that he is not gay.

The story is put in a positive light, but I can't help but be dismayed that tens of millions of people would think less of someone they once liked based on finding out they are gay. Not based on what they do, but who they are...shameful.

Booooooooooooooooo!!!

[chequita guevara]

Oops, didn't read the article.

[DanS]

"conducted online last month with 2,191 adults nationwide"

Oh, that's authoritative.

[rah]

I wouldn't complain if I were you. Think what that percentage would have been 10 years ago. A vast improvement I'm sure. It's going to take a lot more time before the current number is even halved.

[Zoid]

Boris, I agree, but at least it moves in the right direction (right...? )

[Zoid]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Oops, didn't read the article.

You had me wondering there for a minute or so...

[rah]

Originally posted by DanS
"conducted online last month with 2,191 adults nationwide"

Oh, that's authoritative.

Give me a nationally balanced sample with almost 2200 completed surveys, and I would feel very confident in the results. But since it said it was an online survey, I doubt very highly that it was nationally balanced. Internet surveys are skewed towards a more wealthy population, so I would think these numbers are optimistic.


RAH

[Urban Ranger]

Sorry to know that's your case, Boris.

[red_jon]

Originally posted by rah
I wouldn't complain if I were you. Think what that percentage would have been 10 years ago. A vast improvement I'm sure. It's going to take a lot more time before the current number is even halved.

Well, when acceptance is better in other countries I think theres some grounds for complaints/comparisons. If that was the best figure in the world then there wouldn't be much cause for complaint, IMO.

[DinoDoc]

Does anyone really take online surveys seriously?

[rah]

No, but our company still charges to do them.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by rah
No, but our company still charges to do them.

How much do you charge them to do nothing of substance?

[drake]

Better gay than a father to 5 different illegitimate children, as many athletes are.

Better gay than allen iverson-esque.

Lets be honest, a reasonable % of sports fans are sexist, macho type guys. They'll keep cheering Ray Lewis after he shoots a few people, but listen to them boo when they find out he likes guys.

[Arrian]

My initial reaction to the thread title - before reading any of it - was: "that's all? Seriously, I think we have more jerks than THAT!"

After reading: Boris, I agree with you but: 1) on-line polls aren't very accurate (and unfortunately, rah is probably right that the wealthier audience boosts the non-jerk responses); and 2) if the numbers are close being right, they've got to be an improvement, no?

-Arrian
(one of the 65% What the hell do I care whether Mike Piazza digs chicks or dicks?)

[Ming]

Originally posted by red_jon
Well, when acceptance is better in other countries I think theres some grounds for complaints/comparisons. If that was the best figure in the world then there wouldn't be much cause for complaint, IMO.

How do you really know about the acceptance level in other countries... Unless an identical study was done around the world, you have nothing to compare these numbers with. For all you know, these might be the best numbers

And no... I don't trust internet studies. As rah pointed out, and as I also know from studies done in my field, internet surveys are skewed, and not representative of the country as a whole. I also agree that these numbers are probably a little high since they probably skew to the more metropolitian areas vs the rural areas... sad, but probably true.