A recent survey has come out detailing the top LGBTQ poll issues for the 2018 midterms elections. At the number one spot of LGBT concerns is: gun reform.
The survey was conducted by Whitman Insight Strategies with the group Pride Fund to End Gun Violence, the only LGBTQ organization solely focused on gun policy reform.
LGBT issues for 2018 elections: Gun reform
The survey raised a number of issues that the LGBTQ community was concerned with, like health care, immigration, the economy, and of course, LGBT rights.
However, gun reform trumped the other issues with 19 percent against, say, healthcare with 16 percent and the economy with 13 percent.
However, among the those polled, 75 percent of LGBT voters said their candidate’s stance on gun reform would affect how they would vote during the midterms.
These voters also supported expanded background checks with 89 percent, banning assault weapons with 80 percent, and banning large capacity magazines with 78 percent.
Furthermore, 7 out of 10 voters believe that the current Congress won’t pass any new gun safety laws.
“We know that the politically active LGBTQ community can help flip crucial races around the country to Democratic hands when mobilized,” Jason Lindsay, founder and executive director of Pride Fund to End Gun Violence, wrote in the Advocate.
LGBT group pushing for gun reform
Lindsay said the goal of Pride Fund, a political action committee (PAC), is to take down elected officials supported by the National Rifle Association (NRA) at the state and federal level.
He added that these are the officials who “refuse to take action on gun reform.” He declared that during the polls, LGBT voters should replace them with “true advocates who prioritize public safety.”
“The LGBTQ community is often the victim of hate crimes, so it’s not surprising that there’s overwhelming support for gun reform,” Lindsay said.
“Republicans who refuse to act on gun reform and instead take NRA blood money should take note that the politically active LGBTQ population is motivated on this issue and ready to vote you out,” he declared.
Pride Fund was first established after the Pulse shooting two years ago in Orlando, Florida. The group has the sole aim of raising the profile of the issue of gun violence.
The nationwide survey was conducted from May 24 to June 2 this year among a cross section of 880 self-identified LGBT adults.
84 percent of gay men and 78 percent of lesbian women are noted for voting at both federal and state elections.