Same-Sex DiscrimiNation

AP US Government and Politics

What percentage of Americans agreed that, "businesses that provide wedding services should be required to provide those services to same-sex couples just as they would all other customers."?

1. How accurate was your prediction?

2. How surprising is that data?

3. About half of Americans are for discrimination of same-sex couple, about half are opposed to it. What is the best argument you have heard either for or against discrimination of same-sex couples?

4. What story does the data tell about American views towards homosexuals?

5. How do you think this data has changed over the past 20 years?* 

6. Why do you think that is?

7. What is one consequence of this close division over this issue?

8. How do you think religious affiliation impacts opinion on sexual orientation?**

9. How do you think party identification impacts opinion on sexual orientation?**

10. Today, over 70% of Americans believe that homosexuality should not be discouraged. WOW! That is a serious majority. Why do you think that despite overwhelming support for homosexuals and their rights, Congress has not passed a law on this topic?

11. Why do you think Democrats and Republicans have different opinions on this topic?

12. In 1964 the Civil Rights Act was passed to, among other things, end racial discrimination in places of public accommodation (Title II). Do you think the Congress should pass a civil rights act for 2017 outlawing discrimination of homosexuals in places of public accommodation (i.e. hotels, restaurants, bakeries, movie theaters, etc)?

13. Later in 1964, the Supreme Court ruled in Heart of Atlanta v. U.S. that owners of public accommodations (in this case the owner of a motel) were not allowed to discriminate against people based on race. Today, December 5, 2017, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in  Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission regarding whether the owner of a bakery should be allowed to discrimiate against people on the basis of their sexual orientation. Stay tuned, to get the court ruling later this year. For now, explain what you think the Supreme Court should rule in this case?

14. How do you think the Supreme Court will rule in this case?

15. In 1964 (over 50 years ago), the Civil Rights Act was met with a great deal of anger and resistance across the U.S. Today, very few Americans would say that they oppose laws against racial discrimination. How do you think the people who today oppose laws and rulings against sexual-orientation discrimination will feel about this topic?

16. My wife owns and runs a bakery!!!! Yay! On a daily basis, she makes and sells, among other things, AMAZING cookies, cakes, and bread to heterosexuals and homosexuals. Explain whether you think my wife should be allowed to discriminate against people and refuse to serve them based on the following characteristics:

• race

• sexual orientation

• age

• gender

• religion

• political belief

• membership in Nazi Party

Bonus Chart*

Bonus Chart**

Learning Extension

Read the entire Pew Research Center article on American public opinion on same-sex discrimination.

Action Extension

You can't exactly lobby the Supreme Court, but you can lobby Congress! Go speak to your US House representative or Senator and tell them what you think about same-sex orientation discrimination. If you don't have the time or ability to meet your representative in person, ask them to come to your classroom or at least contact them and share your opinion.