We study the effects of policy-specific public opinion on state adoption of policies affecting
gays and lesbians, and the factors that condition this relationship. Using national surveys and
advances in opinion estimation, we create new estimates of state-level support for eight policies
including civil unions and non-discrimination laws. We differentiate between responsiveness
to opinion and congruence with opinion majorities. We find a high degree of responsiveness,
controlling for interest group pressure and the ideology of voters and elected officials. Policy
salience strongly increases the influence of policy-specific opinion (directly and relative to general
voter ideology). There is, however, a surprising amount of non-congruence—for some policies,
even clear super-majority support seems insufficient for adoption. When non-congruent,
policy tends to be more conservative than desired by voters; that is, there is little pro-gay policy
bias. State political institutions have no significant effect on policy responsiveness; legislative
professionalization affects congruence.
A world survey of laws prohibiting same-sex activities between consenting adults
The Gallup Poll data reviewed above show conclusively that many views toward gay and lesbian issues are related -- in some instances, strongly so -- to personal experience with individuals who are gay or lesbian. There are two plausible explanations for this relationship. One is that exposure to gays and lesbians leads to greater acceptance, regardless of one's ideological leanings. The second is that people who are more accepting of gays and lesbians are more likely to put themselves into situations in which they are exposed to gays and lesbians -- in terms of cities and regions of residence, as well as workplace and social choices. Both of these processes are at work, though it is difficult to say which is more important.