By more than a two-to-one margin (58% vs. 27%), the public favors allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces. A majority also supported allowing gays to serve openly in 1994, but by a smaller 52%-to-45% margin. More than two-thirds of Democrats (70%) and 62% of independents support allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Republicans are divided on the issue (40% favor, 44% oppose), bur far more conservative Republicans (52%) oppose than favor (28%) allowing gays to serve openly. Young adults (68% favor) are more supportive of gays serving openly in the military than are older adults, but adults ages 65 and older still are supportive by a 44%-to-28% margin. Read More