Effect of State and Individual Level Factors on Attitudes Toward Sexual Minorities in the US

• In Event: Reexamining Assumptions and Methods of Victimization Research

Abstract

2015 marked a major milestone in the efforts of those in favor of same-sex marriage, with the United States Supreme Court granting legality to same-sex marriage across the country. While many lauded this move, opposition remains. This opposition can sometimes take drastic forms, such as anti-sexual minority hate crimes, which can have significant and lasting consequences for victims. This study will explore the relationship between gay marriage rates at the state level, anti-sexual minority hate crime rates at the state level, state level hate crime statutes (i.e., protected classes and groups) and individual attitudes toward sexual minorities at the state level using data from the 2016 iteration of the American National Election Studies (ANES). Correlates of anti-sexual minority attitudes will be controlled for, including income, education, religious affiliation and religiosity. The ANES is a national dataset of American voters conducted before and after President elections.

Authors

• Matthew A. Bills, Sam Houston State University

• Brittany E. Hayes, Sam Houston State University