LGBT Americans Think, Act, Vote More Green Than Others

Two-thirds (66%) of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender adults, asked in a new national survey conducted online, say that it is important to support environmental causes, compared with 56% of non-LGBT adults. Three-quarters (75%) of LGBT adults (compared with 53% of heterosexuals) believe global warming is happening right now, and by more than two to one proportions, 39% of LGBT adults say they have seen or read Al Gore`s “An Inconvenient Truth” while only 20% of heterosexuals say they have seen or read it.

The new nationwide survey of 3,110 U.S. adults, (ages 18 and over), of whom 167 self identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender, was conducted online between July 7 and September 8, 2009, by Harris Interactive, a global market research and consulting firm, in conjunction with Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc., a strategic public relations and marketing communications firm with special expertise in the LGBT market.

While many more Americans are taking steps to protect the environment and reduce their carbon footprint, there appears to be consistent gaps in attitudes between individuals who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender and the attitudes of heterosexual respondents. For instance, one in five (21%) LGBT adults agree with the self-label of “environmentalist,” when contrasted with just 13% of heterosexuals. The analysis of voting, purchasing, and workplace attitudes continues to highlight these gaps:

* 48% of LGBT adults say it is “very to extremely important” to consider environmental issues when voting for a candidate, compared with 35% of non-LGBT adults.

* 40% of LGBT adults also say it is “very to extremely important” to consider environmental issues when buying and using products or services, compared with 26% of heterosexuals.

* 28% of LGBT adults report that also is “very to extremely important” to consider environmental issues in choosing the company you work for or apply for a job, compared with just 16% of non-LGBT adults who agree.

Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications, noted that LGBT responses also reflect less cynicism and more trust across-the-board with the principles of environmentalism. Witeck said, “When asked whether the media exaggerates environmental issues, only 18% of LGBT adults agreed, compared with 31% of heterosexuals, and when considering whether `going green` is just a marketing tactic, 22% of heterosexuals think so, yet only 16% of LGBT adults agree.”

“Most significant,” Witeck added, “is the measure of global environmental stewardship. Although LGBT households are not parenting as frequently as our non-gay counterparts, 51% say they are concerned about the planet we are leaving behind for future generations – compared with 42% of heterosexual adults. This signals a very high sense of community and cooperation that many LGBT citizens know first-hand.” (Source: Harris Interactive Inc.)

Shannon Wentworth, the Chief Executive Officer and Founding Partner of Sweet, a lesbian travel company that merges the best of lesbian entertainment with social consciousness and environmental awareness, knows first-hand how much the lesbian community values environmental causes and she’s confident that the attitude of her clients will catch on with the mainstream. “Survey says: Gay people are trendsetters!” said Wentworth in response to the new study.  “We know a good thing when we see it. The rest of the country and the world is seeing it, too. That’s a big whoo hoo for the not-gay community, and the environment.” Sweet’s inaugural Caribbean Cruise (November 8-15, 2009) is completely carbon neutral and offers community service excursions in New Orleans and in various port cities.