Indianapolis – In poll results released today, Indiana residents were found to overwhelmingly support basic human rights for gay and lesbian citizens. Majorities favored equality for gay and lesbian Hoosiers in employment, housing, and public accommodations, often by very significant margins.

"Hoosiers are increasingly supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights, however, there is still no law on the books that protects LGBT Hoosiers from discrimination at the state level," observed John Clower, Chair of Indiana Equality.

The survey asked voters about two specific rights for gay and lesbian couples: hospital visitation and inheritance. Nearly three-fourths (74 percent) of the respondents indicated that they support hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples. Slightly over half (53 percent) support inheritance rights.

Support for hospital visitation rights was strong across all categories. Even among respondents over the age of 65 and respondents living in rural areas, supermajorities favor visitation rights.

Respondents were more divided about inheritance rights for same-sex couples. Women and younger respondents are more likely to support inheritance rights, as are those living in urban and suburban areas.

The survey found respondents overwhelmingly agree (79 percent) that gay and lesbian Hoosiers should have the same civil rights protections as others. Clear majorities support such protections in urban, suburban, small town, and rural areas, and across all age, educational attainment, and racial groups.

Respondents also overwhelmingly favor hate crimes legislation (77 percent). Moreover, of those who favor hate crimes legislation, the vast majority (85 percent) believes that crimes based on sexual orientation should be included.

"Local ordinances that bar discrimination based upon sexual orientation cover nearly 22 percent of the population in Indiana. This growing trend highlights the need to change our state law to include these protections for all Hoosiers," stated Walter Botich, Legislative Co-Chair for the coalition.

In late 2005, Indiana Equality commissioned the Indiana University Center for Survey Research to survey the attitudes of Indiana citizens on issues facing lesbian and gay Hoosiers. Several questions pertaining to these issues were added to the 2005 Indiana Poll, a semi-annual survey of Indiana residents probing attitudes about a wide range of social, economic, and political topics.

Founded in 2003, Indiana Equality is a coalition of organizations from around the state that focus on ensuring basic human rights for Indiana’s LGBT citizens. Participating organizations include Interfaith Coalition on Nondiscrimination (ICON), Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance (INTRAA), Indiana Action Network (IAN), Justice, Inc., Indiana PFLAG Alliance, Indianapolis Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Social Workers – Indiana Chapter, Human Rights Campaign Indianapolis Steering Committee, and the Northeast Indiana AIDS Memorial, as well as regional steering committees in the Indianapolis, Bloomington, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Lafayette, and South Bend areas.

 Indiana Equality Website
 Poll Results (PDF)