Maggie Gallagher’s Bogus Poll

Timothy Kincaid

May 22nd, 2009

By now, none of us really expect that anything coming from Maggie Gallagher or her National Organization for Marriage is the truth. But sometimes her utter contempt for the truth is so blatant as to be astonishing.

Take, for example, her 2009 NOM Massachusetts Marriage Survey.

Now, of course, this is not really a poll that is seeking to determine attitudes about marriage in Massachusetts. Rather, this is simply her attempt to try and come up with an artificial opposition to marriage equality and to try and convince the public that marriage has hurt Massachusetts.

But even for a push poll, this is laughable.

First, her sample is as far from representative as you can get. While about 60% of Massachusans are between the age of 18 and 50, this is only 20% of Maggie’s sample. And while those over 75 make up about 9% of the population, they are 24% of her survey. What did Maggie poll, retirement communities?

And though only about 31% of Massachusans attend church “almost weekly”, about 47% of Maggie’s group does.

Then look at the claims she makes in a press release:

Do Children Need a Mom and Dad? Majority Say Yes

But what did the survey really ask?

13. Here\’s one more statement: “All things being equal, it is better for children to be raised by their married mother and a father?” Do you agree or disagree with that statement?

Well who would disagree with that? Not me – not the way it’s phrased. So it’s hardly a surprise that 76% agreed.

But do I think “children need a Mom and Dad”? Nope.

Maggie goes on pretending that her findings suggest that “Massachusetts voters remain sharply divided about gay marriage”. They don’t.

Afraid to ask whether marriage should remain legal in the state, Maggie tried to appeal to personal dislike of gays or personal discomfort with gay marriage. But even then she failed. 43% of respondents were generally personally favorable and another 14% couldn’t care less.

9. Do you personally favor or oppose same-sex marriage generally?

43% FAVOR
44% OPPOSE
14% DON’T KNOW/NO RESPONSE

Maggie goes on to try and spin her survey results to support her cause using percentages of percentages, but in the process provides us with some interesting information about the attitudes of Massachusetts voters.

  • 44% think that opposing gay marriage is discrimination comparable to racial discrimination. And while
  • 16% think that “people may try to hurt you” if you are an anti-gay-marriage activist, only
  • 7% know someone who “feels they were harassed or intimidated” because of their anti-gay marriage beliefs

(Maggie calls this “a surprisingly substantial minority of voters”)

But getting around Maggie’s loaded questions and her contorted analysis, a picture emerges of the Massachusetts voter.

About half are personally supportive of marriage equality while the rest seem fairly content. Most support the right of dissenters to disagree and only a tiny fringe think that their views are being suppressed. They aren’t worried about whether their kids (or grandkids) are being taught about same-sex couples in school. And they tend to think that anti-marriage activists are distasteful, if not downright bigots, and acknowledge that the state has broad social support for the institution. And these are the opinions of the old religious folk.

In short, the sky hasn’t fallen. The citizens aren’t upset. Massachusetts has now seen that marriage equality is a good thing.

a. mcewen

May 22nd, 2009

Gallagher should get that Paul Cameron award this site routinely gives.

Richard W. Fitch

May 22nd, 2009

To a. mcewen: I strongly disagree. With the many twisted statements Maggie has made in the recent months, it is about time that BTB create a new award specifically targeting blatant anti-gay marriage antagonist like M.G. – something like “The Ghastly Gallagher Award”.

Bill Ware

May 23rd, 2009

Since Maggie’s poll results rely on a highly biased sample,

“First, her sample is as far from representative as you can get. While about 60% of Massachusans are between the age of 18 and 50, this is only 20% of Maggie’s sample. And while those over 75 make up about 9% of the population, they are 24% of her survey. What did Maggie poll, retirement communities?

And though only about 31% of Massachusans attend church “almost weekly”, about 47% of Maggie’s group does.”

the results are not worth reporting.

This reminds me of Kinsey’s conclusion that 10% of the population is homosexual. This was unduly influenced by the fact that he included many prison inmates in his survey. These respondents were more likely to report homosexual behavior simply because women were not available due to their confinement.

A biased sample leads to biased results no matter the survey.

a. mcewen

May 23rd, 2009

That’s an excellent idea, Richard. But don’t call it ghastly. You know how Gallagher likes to distract from the argument by playing the “I’m unfairly being attacked and called a bigot” card.

Trevor

May 23rd, 2009

I propose that the award be called the “Maggie ‘the Hutt’ Gallagher” Award.

scotte

May 23rd, 2009

While Gallagher will undoubtedly spin the heck out of these results I find them quite encouraging. Using a skewed sample as representative, biasing the heck out of the questions, and asking the questions in an order designed to elicit as negative responses as possible she still can’t get better than a one percent plurality on her side? Go Massachusetts!

David C.

May 23rd, 2009

NOM: Nutty Old Maggie.

KZ

May 23rd, 2009

Nice, David C. How about ‘the NOM award?’ As in The Nutty Ol’ Maggie Award.

Grant

May 24th, 2009

Great post.

For future reference, the commonly-accepted term for a resident of Massachusetts is “Bay Stater.” It’s easier to type and say. :)

cd

May 24th, 2009

As one of them Evil Librul Bay State residents who helped foist this evil upon the United States: proper pollings show about 60% support for gay marriage, if not slightly more.

PantherFarber

May 25th, 2009

to a. mcewen

no it should be called “The Ghastly Gallagher Award”. i for one am getting sick of people caring about how others are going to spin it. if enough of us are calling the bigots what they are. . . bigots, then others will catch on and hopefully they will go the way of Paul Cameron and only be referenced by Wing Nut Daily.

Pender

May 25th, 2009

Every time I think I’ve seen it all from the anti-gay Right, Maggie manages to up the ante. I can’t believe that woman can still make me angry, but she somehow manages it.

Emily K

May 25th, 2009

Maddie Shmagegliggher, the head of NOME, just released a poll of her own.

Richard W. Fitch

May 25th, 2009

Oh!! My!! Emily!! You gone and done it again —- ROFLMAO

jim

May 25th, 2009

Thank you Box Turtle Bulletin for helping keep the FACTS correct.

I never realized that people on the religious right would LIE!

The religious people I know are honorable, trustworthy and just good people.

I don’t understand the people that are so anti-gay. They seem so full of hate.

I ask WHY? WHY do you hate me because I’m not like you? I do make a great potato salad. What’s the problem? Do I need an “e” on the end?

Leave A Comment

All comments reflect the opinions of commenters only. They are not necessarily those of anyone associated with Box Turtle Bulletin. Comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

(Required)
(Required, never shared)

PLEASE NOTE: All comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

 

Latest Posts

The Things You Learn from the Internet

"The Intel On This Wasn't 100 Percent"

From Fake News To Real Bullets: This Is The New Normal

NC Gov McCrory Throws In The Towel

Colorado Store Manager Verbally Attacks "Faggot That Voted For Hillary" In Front of 4-Year-Old Son

Associated Press Updates "Alt-Right" Usage Guide

A Challenge for Blue Bubble Democrats

Baptist Churches in Dallas, Austin Expelled Over LGBT-Affirming Stance

Featured Reports

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.

Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate

When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.

Paul Cameron’s World

In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.

From the Inside: Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out”

On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.

Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"

The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing The Myths

At last, the truth can now be told.

Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!

And don‘t miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.

Testing The Premise: Are Gays A Threat To Our Children?

Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.

Straight From The Source: What the “Dutch Study” Really Says About Gay Couples

Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.

The FRC’s Briefs Are Showing

Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.

Daniel Fetty Doesn’t Count

Daniel FettyThe FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.