A nationwide poll of registered voters (April 28 - May 1, 2016) shows majority support for laws securing LGBT and transgender rights.  In particular, the poll shows that a majority of American voters oppose "bathroom bills" aimed at requiring transgender people to use restrooms according to the sex listed on their birth certificates.

The numbers are interesting and deserve a close look.  An interesting fact: Women oppose discriminatory bathroom laws more strongly (61%-34%) than men (52%-41%).  Weren't we supposed to believe that the bills are necessary to "protect women"?  It appears most women don't think they need this kind of protection!  In any case, even the majority of men oppose bathroom bills.

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2016/images/05/09/transgender.rights.pdf

CNN and ORC International
for release May 9, 2016

"Overall, would you say you favor or oppose laws that require transgender individuals to use facilities that correspond to their gender at birth rather than their gender identity? Do you [favor/oppose] that strongly or somewhat?
Apr. 28-May 1 2016

Strongly favor 25%
Somewhat favor 13%
Somewhat oppose 18%
Strongly oppose 39%
No opinion 5%"

The actual survey data at the link is pretty interesting.  The results are broken down by income bracket, age, political party, and political leaning.  I was surprised at how small the variation was across these categories.

Quote from: Michelle_P on May 11, 2016, 12:41:58 AM
The actual survey data at the link is pretty interesting.  The results are broken down by income bracket, age, political party, and political leaning.  I was surprised at how small the variation was across these categories.

Exactly!  You have to search pretty hard among the data tables to find demographic or political segments of the population that actually favor discrimination.  Southerners oppose bathroom bills 56%-37%.  Even Republicans are evenly split, 48%-48%.

I was pleasantly surprised by the data.  I guess the bigots just seem more powerful and numerous than they are because they make such a big noise.  Most of the people are better than that, and people are moving forward.