Road to Equality Press
"On the Road to Equality" was the Human Rights Campaign’s nationwide bus tour in Summer 2011 to spread the message of equality by educating the American public and empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to become advocates for themselves and their families. The 12 week tour traveled to 18 cities in 13 states and D.C., with particular emphasis on the Midwest and South where there are limited legal protections for LGBT people and living openly and honestly can be difficult. The tour began as a new nationwide poll from HRC found that Americans widely support LGBT equality issues but more work remains to be done.
Polling Data
HRC’s poll conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research found Americans widely support LGBT equality issues but more work remains to be done – particularly in the South and Midwest where support lags other regions. The poll shows support for equal marriage at 51 percent (43 percent in the Midwest and South), in line with other national polls on the issue. Support for non-discrimination protections for LGBT people in employment, housing and public accommodations is strong nationally at 79 percent, as is support for protections against bullying in schools at 73 percent. Respondents also overwhelmingly say anti-gay discrimination is a problem (79 percent) and anti-transgender discrimination is a problem (74 percent).
Aside from policy questions, 57 percent of respondents say they would not be bothered if their child or grandchild was gay. Seventy-seven percent of men say they could be close friends with a gay man and 81 percent of women say they could be close friends with a lesbian. Overall, 64 percent say they could be close friends with someone who is transgender. Relating to the current debate over so-called “pray the gay away” therapies, only 24 percent of people think gay people can be made straight through psychotherapy or prayer.
- Polling memo [pdf] from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research
- Full survey and results [pdf]
- Utah statewide poll memo[pdf]
- Full Utah statewide survey and results [pdf]
- Nebraska statewide poll memo[pdf]
- Full Nebraska statewide survey and results[pdf]
News from the Road
Salt Lake City
- HRC Press Release
HRC’s “On the Road to Equality” Nationwide LGBT Bus Tour Makes Inaugural Stop in Salt Lake City
- Local News
Fox13 News: Equality Bus kicks off in Salt Lake City
ABC4: Gay rights advocates kick off national tour in Salt Lake City
ABC4: Human Rights Campaign bus spends second day in SLC
Salt Lake Tribune: Poll: Support, acceptance of gays is growing in Utah
Salt Lake Tribune: Bus tour asks Utahns to get on board with gay rights
Salt Lake Tribune: Panelists warn against neglecting gay teens
- National News
Examiner: HRC Bus Tour Kicks Off
City Weekly: HRC National Bus Tour Kicks Off in Utah
On Top Magazine: Activists Attempt New Push For Gay Rights In Utah
AP: Gay advocacy group kicks of tour in Salt Lake City
The Advocate: LGBT Rights Tour Kicks Off in Utah
- HRC Backstory
Equality Tour to Bring Pride, Empowerment to Utah
Salt Lake City Local Leaders, Organizations Join HRC in Celebration of Inaugural Event
“On the Road to Equality” Inaugural Stop Underway in Salt Lake City
Pathway to Acceptance Panel: Supportive Families Help Build Healthy Communities
Enjoy Your Sunday with HRC in Liberty Park
Religion is a Sanctuary for Those Who Feel Alienated or Marginalized
First Stop “On the Road to Equality” a Success
Nebraska
- HRC Press Release
HRC “On the Road to Equality” Bus Tour Comes to Nebraska
- Local News
KVNO News: Human Rights Campaign calls for equality in Omaha
Daily Nebraskan: UNL welcomes the Human Rights Campaign to campus
Journal Star: Gay rights group plans Lincoln trip
- National News
On Top Magazine: Gay Marriage Opposition In Nebraska Lessens
Examiner: HRC bus tour comes to Nebraska
- HRC Backstory
Off to a Great Start in the Cornhusker State
The Tipping Point for Equality in Nebraska
Pathways to Acceptance in Omaha
The Spiritual Discipline of Acceptance
Equality Bus Thanks Nebraskans
Kansas & Missouri
- Local News
University Daily Kansan: Bus tour promotes LGBT equality
The Missourian: Tour to push for rights in Missouri and other states with gay-marriage bans
U News: HRC bus tour visits campus
- HRC Backstory
‘On the Road to Equality’ Headed for Kansas and Missouri
Add Your Voice to the Movement
Fighting for Equality in the Heartland
Lawrence Mayor Aron Cromwell Stops By Bus
Lessons Learned from University of Kansas
Another Great Day in the Midwest
HRC Celebrates LGBT and Allied Professionals in Kansas City
Discussing Healthcare Inequities at KU Medical Center
LIKE ME Lighthouse: A Beacon of Hope in Kansas City
HRC’s “All Children – All Families” comes to Kansas City
New Orleans
- Local News
The Times-Picayune: Southern Decadence kicks off Thursday with a focus on gay rights issues
Tulane University: HRC Open House: On the Road to Equality The Equality Bus at Tulane University
Tulane University: Students get on the bus for LGBT rights
Forum for Equality: HRC on The Road to Equality Thursday and Friday Sept 1-2
- HRC Backstory
The Equality Bus in the Bayou State
Texas
- Local News
Statesmen: Bus, movie brings message of diversity ahead of Austin Pride fest
UTexas: Queer Students Alliance Human Rights Campaign, advocating for LGBT equality
The Battalion: Equality bus rolls into town
- National News
On Top Magazine: Dell Plays Host To Gay Rights In The Workplace Presentation
- HRC Backstory
HRC Stops in the Lonestar State
Find Empowerment in Austin at the Equality Bus
HRC Welcoming Schools in Austin – Helping All Children Thrive
The Burnt Orange Nation Plays Host to HRC Equality Bus
Dell Hosts Austin’s LGBT and Allied Professionals for Equality@Work Presentation
Thousands Welcome HRC Equality Bus to Austin Pride
“Sowing the Seeds of Equality” at Texas A&M
On the Road to Aggieland to Spread Our Message of Equality
Arkansas
- Local News
Arkansas Just Communities: HRC Bus Tour Planning LR Stop; Partnering with JCA
Arkansas Just Communities: Faith, Family and Acceptance
Arkansas Online: Faith, Family and Acceptance
Arkansas Matters: The Largest Civil Rights Campaign in America Comes to Little Rock
Little Rock TodaysTHV: HRC "Road to Equality" Tour Comes to Arkansas
4029 News: National Bus Tour Detours To Eureka Springs
- HRC Backstory
"On the Road to Equality" Kicks Off Arkansas Stop
Mike Manning Meets With Arkansas LGBT and Allied Youth While On the Road to Equality
HRC Equality Tour Hit the Arkansas River Market
On the Cusp of Equality in Arkansas
Faith, Family & Acceptance at Philander Smith College
‘Road to Equality Tour’ Rolls into Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Kentucky
- Local News
University of Kentucky: LGBT Task Force Created
- HRC Backstory
HRC Equality Tour Winds Through Kentucky
A Faithful Dialogue in Lexington, KY
HRC Equality Bus Stops in Louisville
Georgia
- HRC Backstory
Discussing LGBT Patient-Centered Care in Atlanta
UPS Hosts CEI Event in Georgia
Happy Pride from Team HRC in Atlanta
The Road to Equality Leads to Spelman College for National Coming Out Day
Tennessee
- Local News
TN Legislator Wants to Overturn Law that Allowed Contractors to Discriminate
Rep. Brenda Gilmore Thinks Anti-Gay Bias Bill has Shot
Equality Bus Comes to Nashville This Friday
On the Road to Equality National Tour Makes Nashville Stop
Human Rights Campaign Provides Grant to Tennessee Equality Project
Human Rights Campaign Event Focuses on Tennessee Anti-LGBT Laws
State Legislator to Unveil New Bill to Ban Discrimination
Movement Grows to Repeal the Repeal of Non-Discrimination Law
State Rep. Gilmore Sponsors Non-Discrimination Repeal Bill
- HRC Backstory
The Equality Bus Arrives in Nashville
MNEA and HRC Partner for a Welcoming Schools Program in Nashville
Our Faith, Our Families, Our Communities: Building a Brighter Future for Our Youth
Alabama
- Local News
Human Rights Campaign tour bus to make stop at Auburn Montgomery (video)
Equality campaign comes to UAB
'No More Mr. Nice Gay': Alliance helps raise discrimination awareness with Montgomery tour stop
- HRC Backstory
HRC Equality Bus Stops in Montgomery, Alabama
