🚀 go-pugleaf

The last issue of _Public Opinion Quarterly_ (Winter, 1994) has an article
noting the same pattern you report: Thomas C. Wilson, "Trends in Tolerance
Toward Rightist and Leftist Groups ... "

I am also working in the area of public support for civil liberties, free
expression in particular.  If anyone has recent references, last two or
three years, I'd appreciate them.

>PORers,
>
>I'm in the midst of a study of trends in civil liberties attitudes and have
>come across an intriguing finding relating to changes in patterns of (latent)
>attitudinal structures: levels of constraint in attitudes that target the
>civil liberties of gays/lesbians have dramatically _declined_ in recent
>years, even though corresponding levels of constraint towards other target
>groups have remained generally quite stable. The story becomes even more
>interesting when considering that _marginal_ changes in civil liberties
>attitudes show increasing tolerance at the aggregate level.
>
>In this context, I'd be grafeful for any references to literatures on civil
>rights for gays/lesbians. This literature would not have to be strictly survey-
>based analyses; I'm equally interested in more policy-oriented work as well. My
>impression, for instance, is the preceding results are consistent with some
>activists who have argued that Americans' views of gays/lesbians shows a
>decreasing level of intolerance but _not_ an extension of general civil libs.
>beliefs. Please respond to me directly, and I'll compile a list of refs. to
>post at a later date.
>
>
>Also, a couple months ago, some references to focus group texts was posted.
>If whomever did this posting could send the refs. again (but to my address
>only so as to avoid cluttering up the network), I'd be very grateful.
>
>Clem Brooks
>Department of Sociology
>


    M. Mark Miller
    Professor, Journalism
    330 Communications Building
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville
    Knoxville, TN  37991-0330


Voice: 615/974-4452

mmmiller@utkvx.utk.edu