Survey shows gun reform top issue for LGBTQ voters

Gun reform is the most important issue for LGBTQ Americans in this election year, according to a new poll.

The survey released in late June found LGBTQ Americans overwhelmingly support "commonsense gun safety laws," such as:

• Expanding universal background checks.

• Banning assault weapons.

• Banning large capacity magazines.

And that their views will impact their votes in November.

"Gun reform is on the ballot this November and is the most important issue for LGBTQ Americans heading into the 2018 midterm elections,” said Jason Lindsay, the executive director of the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence. “Republicans who refuse to act on gun reform and instead take NRA blood money should take note that the politically active LGBTQ population is motivated on this issue and ready to vote you out."

Some key findings from the poll:

• Gun reform is the most important issue to LGBTQ voters ahead of the November 2018 election, exceeding health care and the economy.

• 75 percent of LGBTQ voters say a political candidate’s position on gun reform is likely to impact their vote.

• 79 percent of LGBTQ voters believe the sale of guns should be more strict.

• 89 percent support expanding background checks to cover all gun sales.

• 88 percent support preventing individuals convicted of hate crimes from purchasing guns.

• 80 percent support banning assault weapons.

• 78 percent support banning large-capacity magazines.

Lindsay founded the Pride Fund after the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando in June 2016, where 49 people were killed. The goal, he said, "is to mobilize the gay community in the fight for gun reform and elect candidates who will champion gun safety and who would act to advance LGBTQ equality."

"This poll reaffirms that Pride Fund’s mission resonates, and it underscores just how critical our work is given the current political environment," he concluded.

The nationwide survey, by Whitman Insight Strategies in association with Pride Fund, was conducted from May 24-June 2 among a cross-section of 880 self-identified LGBTQ adults.