Study: British people care more about animal rights than LGBTQ rights

Only 3% of straight people picked LGBTQ rights as an issue that most concerns them

By Bailey Vogt on June 22, 2018

British people are apparently more concerned about animal rights than they are about LGBTQ rights.

A study conducted by YouGov and Pride London found that, when asked what issues most concerned them, only 3% of cisgender straight people chose “tolerance of individuals of different sexualities/gender identities,” compared with 7% who chose animal rights.

Conversely, 44% of LGBTQ people chose LGBTQ tolerance as one of the issues they were most concerned about — only the future of the NHS (Britain’s healthcare service) and the country’s impending exit from the European Union polled higher.

Dubbed “Pride Matters,” the results of the survey come in the middle of London’s Pride festivities, which conclude on July 7th.

The poll also found that three quarters of LGBTQ people avoided showing affection to a partner in public because they didn’t feel comfortable, while one in three LGBTQ people have been verbally assaulted for their identity, sexuality or gender.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said in the study’s foreword that he was “shocked” to learn about some of the findings.

He also said Pride London was “central to London’s position as a beacon of inclusiveness and acceptance as well as being one of the top gems in our city’s calendar. Above all, it shows that London is open to all people, regardless of background, religion, race, gender, disability, age or sexuality.”

Co-chairwoman of Pride in London Alison Camps said: “Our research shows that, although many in this country may think LGBT+ people have achieved equality, the reality is that we are by no means equal.”

She added: “Together with our straight allies, we see it as our collective responsibility to challenge harmful attitudes across society and highlight the reality that LGBT+ people face in all aspects of their lives.”