Public Support Grows for LGBT Workplace Protections

A majority of Americans support workplace protections for LGBT people, according to a poll conducted in April for the Center for American Progress, a Washington, D.C.-based public policy research and advocacy organization.

Nearly 73% of likely 2012 election voters support protections for gay and transgender people within the workplace. Despite this high rate of acceptance, the center also reports that up to 43% of LGBT individuals still experience some type of harassment or discrimination on the job.

In the same survey, nine out of 10 individuals incorrectly believed that federal laws are in place in order to protect gay and transgender people in the workplace, while many were unaware if their respective state had such protections.

Currently, there are 21 states where it is legal to fire an employee simply for being gay.

In April, Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the U.S. House and Senate, respectively. President Obama supports the bill.

The poll was conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research.