Date Approved

2012

Degree Type

Open Access Senior Honors Thesis

Department or School

Political Science

First Advisor

Jeffrey Bernstein

Abstract

Despite growing movements in the United States toward equal rights for the gay community in the areas of employment, marriage, and housing, there persists a significant underrepresentation of the gay community in elected office. This study used an innovative survey method to examine a sample of college students to discern whether or not this negative bias persists among younger voters. If, in fact, younger voters differ from older voters, this could have vital implications for the electability of gay candidates, and force policy changes towards a more accepting society for non-heterosexual Americans generally.

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