Survey: Acceptance of gay children growing

      A recent Pew Research Survey finds that 57 percent would not be upset if a child came out as gay or lesbian. The societal shift in public attitudes was center stage June 26 with a Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage.
      While the ruling was the culmination of a long-running legal battle, privately, gays, lesbians bisexual and transgender individuals sometimes have a tough time telling family members about their same-sex partners. According to Pew:

• It can still be tough to tell parents about sexual orientation. Of those who had told a mother or father that they were gay or lesbian, more than 6 in 10 said it was difficult. Indeed, among gay men alone, 74 percent said it was difficult to tell their father.
• While 70 percent of gay men had told their mother that they were homosexual, 53 percent had told their father. After telling their mothers, 46 percent said the relationship grew stronger, while 42 percent saw no change and 12 percent felt the relationship weakened. After telling their fathers, 36 percent said the relationship grew stronger, 52 percent saw no change, and 12 percent said the relationship weakened.
• Among lesbians, 67 percent had told their mother and 45 percent had told their father. After telling their mothers, 37 percent said the relationship grew stronger, 38 percent said there was no change, and 23 percent saw the relationship weakening. After telling their fathers, 37 percent of lesbians said the relationship was stronger, 48 percent saw no change and 15 percent said the relationship was weakened.
• Overall, Americans are more accepting. Pew reports that 63 percent believe homosexuality should be accepted by society. In July 1994, 46 percent said homosexuality should be accepted; the same year, 49 percent said society should “discourage homosexuality.”
• Younger Americans are still more tolerant. Among the millennial generation, roughly a third – 29 percent – said they would be upset if a child told them they were homosexual. A higher percentage, 36 percent, of Generation Xers said they would be upset, 47 percent of baby boomers said the news would be upsetting, and among the oldest generation, 55 percent said they would be upset.   

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