Poll: Russians very homophobic

A new poll by Russia’s Center for Public Opinion Research has found almost
universal opposition to gay people, GayRussia.ru reported Aug. 8.

The poll, conducted in late July, questioned 1,600 people in 130 cities
and has a margin of error of 3.4 percent.

It found that 74 percent of Russians believe gays and lesbians are morally
dissolute or mentally defective, while only 15 percent think they are
normal.

Thirty-nine percent of those questioned believe that homosexuals should be
forcibly treated for their condition or isolated from society, 24 percent
think gays should be sent to psychologists, 25 percent think gays should
be left in peace, and 4 percent think homosexuals should be eliminated.

On the matter of equal rights, the findings were better, with 45 percent
of Russians saying gays and lesbians should have equal rights — unless
the issue is marriage. Only 14 percent of those questioned support letting
gay couples marry.

And unless the issue is freedom of assembly. Eighty-two percent of
Russians object to gay pride parades. A whopping 8 percent support them.

The poll found that men, older people, poorer people and people with less
education are more homophobic.

“The conclusion we can make from these results is that we only have more
work ahead,” said Moscow Pride head Nikolai Alekseev. “The attitude of
Russians towards gay prides (and) same-sex marriages cannot improve when
officials are using the media to call for hatred towards the LGBT
community.”

By Rex Wockner

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