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Q Polls Archive | Steven Petrow's Gay and Lesbian Manners

Do you think being married makes gay relationships stronger?
Not really. Look what it's done for straight folks
133 %  28%
 
Maybe. We just don't know yet...
147 %  31%
 
You bet. Institutional support really matters
200 %  42%
 



What grade would you give the President on LGBT issues?
He's doing a great job
98 %  27%
 
I wish he'd stand up more to Congress!
200 %  55%
 
I'm very disappointed
32 %  9%
 
I never supported him so didn't have high hopes
32 %  9%
 



Did things "get better" for LGBT rights in 2010?
Yes, we moved two steps forward for every step back
128 %  36%
 
There were a few small victories...
200 %  56%
 
No, it was an awful year
28 %  8%
 



How gay-friendly is your family during the holidays?
Lots of cheer all around! Being gay is no prob
200 %  59%
 
As long as I leave my partner at home, it's all good
40 %  12%
 
Brrrr... Good thing my LGBT chosen family is so warm and fuzzy
23 %  7%
 
What family?
74 %  22%
 



Do you have gaydar?
Yep, I call it right every time
90 %  23%
 
Sometimes telling gays from straights is harder these days...
200 %  51%
 
Nope, the metrosexuals and lipstick lesbians have ruined my gaydar
47 %  12%
 
I never could tell the difference
54 %  14%
 



What's your reaction to the recent spate of LGBT teen suicides?
I'm furious and have decided to get more involved in this issue
131 %  25%
 
I'm in despair because I thought things were getting better
89 %  17%
 
I'm not shocked at all; this goes on all the time under the radar
200 %  38%
 
I'm just numb
110 %  21%
 



How did it go the first time you had gay sex?
It was hot!
182 %  31%
 
I was a nervous wreck
200 %  34%
 
No big deal
117 %  20%
 
I've never had gay sex
88 %  15%
 



What would you do if you met someone and didn't know his or her gender?
See if I could figure it out by talking together
167 %  36%
 
Ask somebody else
51 %  11%
 
Ask directly
51 %  11%
 
Nothing special: Why would I need to know someone's gender?
200 %  43%
 



Is it rude to vacation at gay-only resorts?
Not rude at all: Safety and peace of mind come first
200 %  68%
 
Yes: Feels a bit separatist
1 %  0%
 
Maybe: But it can be a lot of fun
94 %  32%
 



If your in-laws cut you out of your partner's funeral, what would you do?
Try nicely to convince them
137 %  22%
 
Threaten a lawsuit
50 %  8%
 
Show up anyway
200 %  32%
 
Plan a memorial
187 %  30%
 
Move on with my life
50 %  8%
 



How do you prefer to be greeted by your LGBT friends?
Shake hands
77 %  14%
 
Hugs
200 %  36%
 
Air kiss!
1 %  0%
 
Peck on one cheek or two
161 %  29%
 
Quick smooch on the lips
38 %  7%
 
It really depends on the friend and on flu season
77 %  14%
 



How do you get a double bed when traveling as a gay couple?
Reserve it online
200 %  64%
 
Mention that we're gay when making the telephone/email reservation
1 %  0%
 
Deal with it when we register in person
56 %  18%
 
We prefer single beds anyway
28 %  9%
 
Not a problem; I don't have a partner
28 %  9%
 



If a straight person told an anti-gay joke in your presence, what would you do?
Challenge them in front of others
200 %  69%
 
Explain later in private why it bothered you
72 %  25%
 
Blog, tweet or post on Facebook about it
1 %  0%
 
Ignore the whole episode
17 %  6%
 



How do you introduce your significant other?
We like to keep it simple—boyfriend/girlfriend
200 %  31%
 
We like to throw it in their faces—lover!
51 %  8%
 
We’re pretty middle-of-the-road—partner or spouse
51 %  8%
 
We use different terms in different settings
200 %  31%
 
What significant other?
148 %  23%
 



Have you stayed friendly with your exes?
No way, no how. What’s past is past
38 %  10%
 
We try and be civil
92 %  24%
 
We’re like family
53 %  14%
 
It depends how things ended
200 %  52%
 
I have no exes
1 %  0%
 



If you were invited to dinner without your partner, what would you do?
Call or email to ask if it's okay to bring my partner
200 %  58%
 
Assume the hosts are homophobic
13 %  4%
 
Just bring my partner along—Surprise!
27 %  8%
 
Leave my partner sulking at home
1 %  0%
 
I don't have a partner
100 %  29%
 



If you found out your best friend's lover was fooling around, what would you do?
I'd tell my best friend every detail the first chance I got
52 %  16%
 
I'd ask the lover to come clean with my friend—so I don't have to
200 %  61%
 
I'd mind my own business
75 %  23%
 



If you're two moms and someone asks you about your kid's father, what do you say?
That we're lesbians
200 %  71%
 
That it's none of their business
1 %  0%
 
I'd pretend I didn't hear the question
81 %  29%
 



If you were going to have a baby, how would you do it?
Through adoption
200 %  46%
 
I'd hire a surrogate
65 %  15%
 
Via insemination
34 %  8%
 
The old-fashioned way
34 %  8%
 
I already have kids
34 %  8%
 
Sorry, still not interested
65 %  15%
 



Would you get married if it were legal in your state?
I am married
121 %  17%
 
I would if I could
200 %  28%
 
I'm getting hitched/got hitched the non-legal way
1 %  0%
 
Not interested in that heterosexual tradition
200 %  28%
 
Alas, no prospective spouse in the picture right now
200 %  28%
 



Do you have more LGBT friends or straight ones?
More LGBT
94 %  16%
 
More straight
200 %  34%
 
It’s about even
170 %  29%
 
Too many of my friends are bisexual, questioning, or just plain queer to answer that
64 %  11%
 
I don't talk with my friends about their sexuality
64 %  11%
 



Are you out at work?
Yes, I came out to my coworkers
153 %  30%
 
Yes, and they knew I was LGBT when they hired me
200 %  39%
 
I was... until they fired me for it
20 %  4%
 
They don't know, but I'm thinking about coming out
87 %  17%
 
No way, no how
56 %  11%
 



What do you do on Valentine's Day for a new sweetie?
Make whoopee!
90 %  23%
 
Make a fuss with flowers, chocolate, and bling
200 %  51%
 
Let them take charge
39 %  10%
 
Nothing and hope they don't notice
1 %  0%
 
I've never had a new sweetie on Valentine's Day
58 %  15%
 



What do you think about sex on the first date?
The sooner the better!
84 %  14%
 
It depends on the date
127 %  21%
 
I usually try (and fail) to wait
84 %  14%
 
I like to leave them wanting more
115 %  19%
 
Never
200 %  33%
 
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Gay MannersConfused about coming out, dating, sex, and love? Find all the answers here - makes a great reference guide for you, and a great gift for the straight people in your life who need a little guidance.

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