The Questions Asked

These are the answers of 600 Massachusetts residents in a telephone poll by

Wirthlin Worldwide on November 30 to December 2, 1999.

Which one of the following issues is most important to you personally? Is it …

36% The breakdown of the family

20% The quality of public school education

22% Health care

5% Taxes

11% The Economy

5% Gun Control

2% Don't Know/Refused

     Going back now to the way things are today in Massachusetts and thinking specifically about family life. Generally speaking, do you think that the quality of family life in Massachusetts is stronger, weaker, or about the same as it was thirty years ago?

12% Stronger

69% Weaker

13% About the same

6% Don't Know/Refused

    If your child came to you seeking advice on his or her sexuality, would you advise him or her to be a homosexual?

8% Yes

72% No

12% Would not matter to me

8% Don't Know/Refused

    Thinking now about our schools and our children. I am going to read several statements and after I read each one, please tell me if you agree or disagree with that statement. Here is the first/next one…

    Teenagers, regardless of whether they are heterosexual or homosexual, should be encouraged to be sexually active.

6% Agree

92% Disagree

2% Strongly Agree

4% Somewhat Agree

14% Somewhat Disagree

78% Strongly Disagree

2% Don't Know/Refused

   Teenagers should be able to have sex with anyone they wish, regardless of what their parents advise.

12% Agree

85% Disagree

4% Strongly Agree

8% Somewhat Agree

11% Somewhat Disagree

74% Strongly Disagree

3% Don't Know/Refused

     Homosexuals are born that way and it is cruel to think differently.

54% Agree

40% Disagree

31% Strongly Agree

23% Somewhat Agree

17% Somewhat Disagree

23% Strongly Disagree

5% Don't Know/Refused

     Regardless of parental knowledge or approval, schools should be involved in helping all teenagers – both heterosexual and homosexual – be sexually active.

13% Agree

85% Disagree

8% Strongly Agree

5% Somewhat Agree

14% Somewhat Disagree

71% Strongly Disagree

2% Don't Know/Refused

     Do you think that sex between homosexuals is ...

32% As safe as sex between heterosexuals

56% Carries more risk than sex between heterosexuals

12% Don't Know/Refused

     Some studies show that 25% of twelve-year-olds are uncertain whether they are homosexual or heterosexual. Do you think that “gay-pride” clubs, also known as gay/straight alliances, could encourage such children to “out” themselves and declare themselves to be homosexual at too young an age?

49% Yes

40% No

11% Don't Know/Refused

     Would you be concerned or not concerned that some people who prey upon children might be attracted to kids who assemble and belong to these “gay pride” clubs?

74% Concerned

20% Not Concerned

52% Very Concerned

21% Somewhat Concerned

12% Not Too Concerned

9% Not At All Concerned

6% Don't Know/Refused

     What is your age, please?

12% 18 - 24

8% 25 - 29

13% 30 - 34

9% 35 - 39

12% 40 - 44

10% 45 - 49

10% 50 - 54

6% 55 - 59

3% 60 - 64

5% 65 - 69

4% 70 - 74

7% 75 and older

1% Refused

     Do you have any children under the age of 18 living with you?

33% Yes

67% No

0% Don't Know/Refused

     Are you married, separated, divorced, or single and never been married?

54% Married

25% Single and never been married

10% Divorced

7% Widowed

3% Separated

1% Refused

     In politics today, do you generally consider yourself to be liberal or conservative on most issues?

40% Conservative

47% Liberal

9% Moderate

9% Very conservative

32% Somewhat conservative

34% Somewhat liberal

13% Very liberal

9% Moderate

4% Don't Know/Refused