A wide-ranging poll on the issues surrounding gender ideology and sexual identity has found nearly two-thirds of Americans believe transgenderism is not healthy, while 72 percent say schools should not teach elementary school-age children about sexual identity and sexual behavior.
Summit Ministries, which provides education and curriculum resources that promote a biblical worldview, and renowned polling firm McLaughlin and Associates released results of the national poll Tuesday, one that surveyed 1,000 likely general election voters nationwide between April 22-26.
Results of the online survey showed five “key insights” into Americans’ views on gender ideology and sexual identity issues:
- Among the voters who have an opinion on the issue of whether transgenderism is a healthy condition, 64 percent say transgenderism is not healthy, but 34 percent say they remain silent on the issue to avoid offending others, while 30 percent say they are willing to speak out about their views on transgenderism.
On this question, 36 percent say they view transgenderism as a healthy human condition.
- Nearly three-fourths of American voters who provide an opinion on the issue oppose the teaching of sexual identity-based curriculum in elementary schools.
The poll found 72 percent say schools should not teach elementary school-age children about sexual identity or sexual behavior, with 42 percent stating they believe such instruction is inappropriate in a school setting.
Additionally, 30 percent of those surveyed believe sexual identity and sexual behavior curriculum is dangerous and could lead to sexual grooming of young children. Meanwhile, 28 percent of American voters believe such instruction in schools is appropriate.
- The vast majority of Americans agree it is possible to distinguish between men and women.
Among the survey participants who responded to the question of whether one can know the difference between men and women, 93 percent say it is possible to distinguish, while 7 percent say it is not possible.
- The vast majority of Americans say underage minors should not be allowed to undergo permanent gender alteration.
According to the poll results, among those who responded to the question, 90 percent of Americans believe only legal adults should be permitted to undergo permanent gender alteration, while 10 percent say minors should be encouraged to do so.
- The vast majority of Americans believe medical professionals should be legally required to reveal the side-effects of transgender interventions.
Of those who responded to the question, 90 percent believe medical professionals who perform transgender procedures should be required by law to disclose both the medical and psychological impact of such interventions, while 10 percent say medical professionals should not be required to disclose that information.
The poll’s margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent at a 95 percent confidence interval.
“The poll was conducted among 1,000 voters who are likely to vote in November,” pollster John McLaughlin said in comments to The Star News Network. He explained further:
The results cited here are for those that had an opinion on each of these issues. Less than 1 in 8 voters didn’t have an opinion on these questions. So, people have strong feelings. The vast majority of voters have opinions on these issues and they are overwhelmingly opposed to those who have an agenda to indoctrinate underage minors on these issues.
The poll’s results are published in the wake of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signing into law the Parental Rights in Education bill, which bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-3 and requires school districts to notify parents of changes in a child’s mental, physical, or emotional health.
Additionally, the survey results arrive in the wake of an NPR interview, published at the end of April, with Dr. Rachel (born Richard) Levine, transgender U.S. assistant secretary for health, who claimed there is “no argument among medical professionals – pediatricians, pediatric endocrinologists, adolescent medicine physicians, adolescent psychiatrists, psychologists, etc. – about the value and the importance of gender-affirming care,” which includes puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries, such as elective double mastectomies, for young people.
“Everywhere Americans look, the media and education culture is bombarding us with relentless, daily messages in support of Transgenderism without limits,” Dr. Jeff Myers, president of Summit.org, said, and added:
Despite this intensity, these stunning numbers show plainly that the vast majority of Americans aren’t buying what they’re being sold. A huge majority of Americans – for example – don’t think this issue belongs anywhere near our kids. Yet, we also see a powerful chilling effect that this propaganda is having on society, as this research shows that tens and tens of millions disagree with what they see, but are afraid to say anything about their views.
“We trust this poll will spark all-important conversations so we can properly address these issues as a nation,” Myers added.
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Susan Berry, PhD, is national education editor at The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
