OutFront Minnesota
Relationship Recognition Survey
 

Hundreds of people took part in our Relationship Recognition Survey in the fall of 2006. We received much information from the responses to our survey questions.

While we are still reviewing and synthesizing all of the survey answers, we wanted to share some initial results with our community.

Legal Protections for Same-Sex Couples

• 63% of respondents had not completed a will. Find out more about the protections a will provides to your partner and/or others after your death, and the peace of mind it provides to you now
• 60% of respondents had not completed a health care directive. Read more about how a health care directive can empower you, your partner and/or others in the event you are medically incapacitated to read about health care directives. It’s quick, easy, and free to download and fill out a health care directive form. Just click here.
• 63% of respondents had not designated someone to make their funeral arrangements. Click here for more information on this issue.
• 66% had not completed a power of attorney. Learn about the potential importance of this legal tool

Legal Status for Same-Sex Couples

• 38% of respondents strongly felt that marriage was necessary, and that a civil union alternative was inadequate.
• 39% of respondents believed that civil unions were an acceptable alternative to marriage
• 56% of respondents disagreed with the statement that an alternative legal status was actually preferable to marriage
• 60% of respondents disagreed that discussing legal status for same-sex couples was a distraction from more pressing issues
• 50% strongly disagreed with the statement that no status was needed if the individual rights of marriage are available in other ways
• 86% agreed that if marriage became available to same-sex couples, they would eventually like to marry

Who Took Our Survey

Women: 57%

Men: 41%

70% identified as gay or lesbian; 10% bisexual; 3 % transgender/queer/
polysexual; 1 % pansexual; 16% heterosexual

75% Leaned toward same-sex relationships

75% were either under 18 or over 50; 25% between 41-50

12% identified as various racial identities including African Descent, Biracial, Latina/o, Native American, Asian American, Central American; 88% Identified as white

60% had combined household incomes from below $25,000 to $74,000

Over 20 % live in rural areas, townships, or small towns, 26% suburban, 53% urban

53 of 87 counties were represented

Top ten counties represented (in no particular order): Blue Earth, Anoka, St. Louis, Stearns, Olmsted, Benton, Dakota, Washington, Hennepin, Ramsey

Political Involvement of Survey Participants

• 74% of respondents said they were likely to meet with legislators
• 63% said they were likely to participate in OutFront Minnesota’s justFair Lobby Day. Note: The next Lobby Day is scheduled for Thursday, April 19th, 2007 at the State Capitol
• 66% said they were likely to write a letter to the editor on GLBT issues
• 61% said they were likely to volunteer with a candidate’s campaign
• 78% said they were likely to volunteer with organizations working for GLBT equality
• 22% said they had not donated money to organizations working for GLBT equality. Help support OutFront Minnesota by clicking here!

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