Innovative Study Has National Implications: Gays Voted as a Block in Philadelphia Mayoral Election

[Ian David]

PHILADELPHIA, JPA -- A study by Equality Forum, an international gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) civil rights organization, suggests that gay and lesbian voters voted as a block in the recent mayoral primary election in Philadelphia and that gay and lesbian voters were markedly more likely to support their candidate than their neighbors. The study found that gays voted by about two to every one vote for Michael Nutter, the winning candidate, in the citywide vote.

"The study is important both in its methodology and the result," said Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum. "It demonstrates that even in a field of gay-friendly candidates, a candidate who can provide the right cues can be the beneficiary of a GLBT block vote. Block voting increases a group's political importance and power."

The May 15, 2007 Democratic primary, which is tantamount to election in heavily-Democratic Philadelphia, featured five well-known politicians: two longtime Members of Congress, a former City Councilman, a State Representative who chairs the Appropriations Committee in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and a wealthy former Deputy Mayor. The former City Councilman, Michael Nutter, spent most of the race lagging in fourth place before he surged to victory, garnering 36.6% of the citywide vote.

The Equality Forum study reviewed the votes cast in seven distinct Philadelphia gay neighborhoods and found that Nutter garnered 74% of the vote in these neighborhoods. A review of the top 12 Philadelphia tracts identified in the U.S. Census as having the most same-sex couples residing in the same household found that Nutter received 69% of the vote in these census tracts.

More:
http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2007/07/innovative-study-has-national.html


Equality Forum (http://www.equalityforum.com/) is a national and international GLBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. Equality Forum undertakes high impact initiatives, produces documentary films, coordinates GLBT History Month and presents annually the largest national and international GLBT civil rights forum.

[PCIntern]

1. As a Philadelphian,

please allow me to say that anyone with half a brain, who recognized the need for experience, competence, and intellect, voted for Nutter. The other candidates were all, in their own ways, lacking in one or more of those categories.