“I’m a registered Democrat, but am not opposed to voting for intellectually honest Republicans. My biggest frustration with politicians is not about specific policies, usually, but about whether or not the politicians are being honest about what those policies will do, why they are presenting those policies, etc. Way too much of our policy making is about emotionally-charged and intellectually dishonest claims instead of real world problem solving. Any politician with the courage to put forward solutions–that actually solve problems, even if they’re unpopular–is worth consideration in my book.”
~Zach Wahls (from an interview by Michael Hulshof-Schmidt)
My fellow Iowa Citian Zach Wahls was elected to the Iowa Senate. I don’t know him personally, but I know of his family. The church he grew up in and remains a member of, the local Unitarian Universalist, I attended for a period of time back in the early Aughts. He was was a young kid at the time, having been born in 1991. I’m sure I saw him and his family around the place and around the community, as it is a fairly small town. He still is young for a politician, at 27 years old.
This particular upbringing surely shaped his worldview. He was raised by two mothers, that likely being a major reason his family went to the UU church, as it is well known as a bastion of liberalism. Unitarian Universalism, along with closely related deism, has its roots in Enlightenment thought and was originally popularized in the United States by a number of revolutionaries and founders. In 1822, Thomas Jefferson predicted that “there is not a young man now living in the US who will not die an Unitarian.” He was a bit off in his prediction. But as Zach Wahls election demonstrates, this religious tradition remains a force within American society.
Senator Wahls first became politically involved by writing for his high school newspaper and continued his journalistic interests later on through a local newspaper. On a large stage, he first came to political and public attention in 2011 through a speech he gave on the Iowa House Judiciary Committee. It was in defense of same sex marriage, and interestingly was an expression of a uniquely Iowan attitude that emphasizes community and citizenship, hard work and family values but not in the sense of the fundamentalist culture wars. That speech went viral and was widely reported in the mainstream media. He was interviewed on some popular shows. That opened doors for him. He gave another speech at the 2012 Democrat National Convention and he was a delegate for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
So, his being in the limelight began not that many years ago. His mother, Dr. Terry Wahls, initially was more well known than him. She wrote some books over the past decade about how she reversed the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in herself, in her patients and in the subjects of clinical studies; with her initial book having been published in 2010, a short while before her son’s first major speech. Although a mainstream medical doctor, she is popular in the field of alternative diet and health. She is among a growing number of doctors, researchers, and experts who have challenged the problems and failures of our present healthcare system. It is unsurprising that her son while campaigning for the Iowa Senate seat promised, among other things, to reform healthcare.
It remains to be seen what kind of politician he will be. As with Alexandria Oscasio-Cortez, he is fresh blood from a generation just now entering the political arena. But he grew up ensconced in a liberal class bubble and appears to fall prey to some of its biases. It doesn’t go without notice that he was such a major supporter of Hillary Clinton, rather than Bernie Sanders, not that I know he ever attacked or spoke badly of Sanders. Still, he comes across as a fairly mainstream Democrat with some mild progressive leanings. He might be ahead of the game, though.
Clinton and Obama didn’t support same sex marriage until recent years, long after they had built their political careers, and long after the majority of Americans were already in favor of same sex marriage. Those old Democrats are used to playing it safe by making sure to remain to the right of public opinion and inching left only when public demand forces them to. Zach Wahls, on the other hand, grew up with same sex marriage as the norm of his entire reality. He began defending it in articles published in his high school newspaper. The old school Blue Dog Democrats have roots in Southern conservatism, established by the Southern Evangelical Jimmy Carter and more fully entrenched by Bill Clinton who also was a born-and-bred Southerner. Senator Wahls, however, formed his worldview in the heart of liberal progressivism, situated in a Northern town alien to Southern culture and politics. He takes the political left for granted as the starting point and so, even as part of mainstream politics, he is pushing the Overton window further back to the left again.
Young and idealistic, Senator Wahls enters the political fray right at the moment when the American public is being radicalized and reform is in the air. This might elicit the better angels of his nature. It might be easier for reform to take hold now when the majority of Americans are behind it. More importantly, he is bringing with him genuine knowledge of the issues, knowledge built on personal experience and so with personal stakes. The civil rights angle is important, whether in terms of same sex marriage or other things. But to my mind, more important is healthcare reform, as it touches on the nerve of populism. His mother, if she hadn’t turned to alternative health to treat her multiple sclerosis, would now at best be wheelchair-bound and at worst already dead. She did this after conventional medicine was unable to help her. So, Senator Wahls understands the failure of the system in an intimate way and he understands the kinds of concrete changes that need to happen.
As an Iowan, I’ll be watching him closely. The more infamous Iowa politician, Steve King, appears to be on the decline in his position within the Washington establishment. The older generation is losing its grip on power and the younger generation is clamoring to replace them. Senator Wahls, in particular, seems like a new breed of Democrat. I wish him well.
A blogger I follow has said he is voting green again. I have no problem with that whatsoever. But the specific reasons he gave were unconvincing, not to mention unfair. He writes that,
“Sanders to his credit has condemned Emanuel. I’m just not sure what to make of a northeastern senator that thinks he deserves ally cookies for being involved in the Civil Rights Movement a half century ago. The Sanders campaign has not actively reached out to non-white voters, instead expecting them to fall in line behind him because of his past. That’s not good enough. I’m also not sure what to make of a senator that was too politically cowardly to endorse marriage equality in Vermont in 2006.”
I feel a need to respond. What he wrote is dismissive and uninformed. Sanders has never asked for ally cookies. That is tearing down a straw man.
I prefer third party candidates myself. And I voted for Nader in the past. There are endless reasons to despise the two party system. I very well might vote Green this coming election as well.
Yet for the moment I’m supporting Sanders’ campaign because it forces many issues into public debate that would otherwise be ignored. If not for Sanders long and extensive personal history and voting record on civil rights issues, the mainstream media (and Hillary Clinton) wouldn’t even be talking about it.
I may not vote for Sanders in the end. But, either way, I want him treated fairly. To dismiss him is to play right into the hands of those who also dismiss third party candidates.
Plus, don’t ignore economic issues, as if they are separate from civil rights issues. MLK understood how inseparable they were. MLK wasn’t selling out or giving up on civil rights when he decided to focus on poverty that harmed all Americans, including many whites.
Before deciding, look at all the info and analysis. Sanders civil rights involvement has been continuous over the decades. It wasn’t a one time involvement a half century ago. I don’t deny that Sanders could do more, but that goes for all of us. Besides, he has done more for civil rights than most people complaining about him.
In US history, there has never been a major presidential candidate that was stronger than Sanders on civil rights. This is a historical moment, simply for his ability to get such massive support. This will permanently change the debate. Civil rights is Sanders strong point.
If you genuinely want to criticize Sanders for plausible reasons, you’d be better off focusing on his foreign policy record. The reason many of his critics don’t focus on foreign policy is because on that issue Hillary Clinton looks truly horrific.
Sanders is a moderate in this area. He isn’t a pacifist by a long shot. And he isn’t going to speak in the language of anti-authoritarianism, anti-statism, and anti-imperialism. But he did speak out against the Vietnam War. And he voted against wars of aggression such as the Iraq War. Considering wars of aggression are both unconstitutional and illegal, that isn’t a minor issue. Sanders, unlike Clinton, doesn’t take lightly the act of the US military killing people. He is much more supportive of diplomacy and multilateralism. This is an extension of his civil libertarian approach to politics.
Anyway, it is on foreign policies that third party candidates really shine, far beyond even an independent like Sanders. To me, that is an extremely important issue. It very well might lead me to vote Green. My point is that, if just going by civil rights, I’d find arguments against Sanders less compelling. All you have to do is look at his record. I’m not sure why so many people don’t bother to look closely at any of this. It’s not hard to find.
I get the sense that some people are looking for a reason to dismiss Sanders. It’s not limited to people who are attacking him because of another candidate they prefer. It seems that it is hard for quite a few to imagine that something good can come from an old white guy who is a professional politician, especially when he is running in one of the major parties. They can’t get past this in order to consider his record on its own terms.
First and foremost, Zach Wahls is very well spoken in this speech. I have major respect for him after hearing this. I’m rarely inspired by something I hear in the media.
Secondly, Zach Wahls lives in the same town I live in (Iowa City). From what I read, he has lived here for much of his life. I don’t know if I’ve ever met him, but I think I’ve seen some of his articles before (here is an article he wrote about gay marriage).
In his speech, he mentions going to church. I was curious what church he went to. Iowa City is a very liberal town with many liberal churches, but of course it turns out he goes to the most liberal church in town (a Unitarian-Universalist church). I used to attend that church some years ago. It speaks well for the UU tradition that he was raised in a UU church.
I’m not sure how much coverage his speech will get, but I did notice that he was mentioned last year in an article from The New York Times.
Anyway, I must admit it makes me a bit proud to live in a town that produces such high quality individuals. It also makes me proud of Iowa in general. I really like Iowa. Listening to his speech, I was touched by his expression of Iowa values. I get tired of all the radical politicizing from the Southern states. Iowa is truly the middle of the country, both geographically and ideologically. The Midwest is called the Heartland for a good reason. Some people think of this as just flyover country or just another backwoods rural state, but Zach Wahls’ speech reminds the rest of the country why Iowa has always been one of the most politically influential states.
– – –
I noticed another blog post about gay marriage (by combscp who commented below) and I thought it relevant to Zach’s speech. What is interesting is that Zach is making a conservative argument for gay marriage. From that post, here is Ted Olsen’s article making the case for gay marriage and the following is a video of Maddow interviewing Ted Olsen and David Boies:
– – –
If you want to hear his response to all the attention his speech has received, here are a couple of videos with interviews:
If you want to see a previous state comparison I wrote about, here is the link. The following is the list of states with the least unemployment:
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nebraska
New Hampshire
Vermont
Hawaii
Kansas
Wyoming
Minnesota
Iowa
And here is the top 10 most tolerant states according to the data (discussed in the video above and with links below):
Wisconsin
Maryland
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Hawaii
California
Minnesota
New Jersey
New Hampshire
New Mexico
It’s interesting to compare the two comparisons. Some of the states are found on both Top 10 lists: New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Hawaii. On the other hand, looking at the ranking of all the states, some of the least tolerant states did very well economically (both in terms of low unemployment and low economic disparity): North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming.
I don’t know why that is or what it might mean. The similarities confirm a correlation of data, but differences makes me wonder about what is exactly is being measured in terms of tolerance and intolerance. Social problems, in general, correlate to both poverty and economic disparity. According to other data (from The Spirit Level by Wilkinson and Pickett): North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming have some of the best rankings in the country according to the “Index of health and social problems” (North Dakota is ranked as the fourth best). There must be other confounding factors, but I don’t know what they could be.
The following is the details of the data about the comparison of tolerance across the US:
And now for the breakdown … Wisconsin wins for being the most tolerant. Its religious tolerance was quite good, its gay tolerance leaves room for improvement. Others in the top 10 were Maryland in second, then Illinois, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, California, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New Mexico.
And on the flip-side, the 10 least tolerant states are Alabama, finishing 40th in the nation, then it gets worse going to Kentucky, North Dakota, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas and then Wyoming finishes dead last.
This wasn’t included on the list, but interestingly, the 10 most tolerant states all went Democratic in the 2008 election and the 10 least tolerant states are all red states, with the exception of Ohio.
1, Wisconsin Tolerance score: 77 out of 100 Hate crime score: 27 out of 40 Discrimination score: 39 out of 40 Gay rights score: 3 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 1.0 (10 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 9.2 (5 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 44% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 79%
2, Maryland Tolerance score: 75 out of 100 Hate crime score: 25 out of 40 Discrimination score: 37 out of 40 Gay rights score: 5 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 1.8 (19 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 7.8 (1 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 51% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 72%
3, Illinois Tolerance score: 74 out of 100 Hate crime score: 30 out of 40 Discrimination score: 31 out of 40 Gay rights score: 5 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 1.5 (16 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 14.5 (24 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 48% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 74%
4, Pennsylvania Tolerance score: 72 out of 100 Hate crime score: 29 out of 40 Discrimination score: 31 out of 40 Gay rights score: 4 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 0.4 (5 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 11.8 (13 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 51% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 75%
5, Hawaii Tolerance score: 71 out of 100 Hate crime score: 34 out of 40 Discrimination score: 27 out of 40 Gay rights score: 4 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 0.1 (1 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 20.3 (35 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 54% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 66%
6, California Tolerance score: 70 out of 100 Hate crime score: 30 out of 40 Discrimination score: 29 out of 40 Gay rights score: 5 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 2.7 (29 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 15.9 (28 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 56% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 67%
7, Minnesota Tolerance score: 70 out of 100 Hate crime score: 21 out of 40 Discrimination score: 38 out of 40 Gay rights score: 3 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 6.0 (49 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 8.7 (4 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 47% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 74%
8, New Jersey Tolerance score: 69 out of 100 Hate crime score: 18 out of 40 Discrimination score: 35 out of 40 Gay rights score: 8 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 6.3 (50 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 12.1 (14 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 55% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 74%
9, New Hampshire Tolerance score: 68 out of 100 Hate crime score: 18 out of 40 Discrimination score: 32 out of 40 Gay rights score: 10 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 2.1 (21 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 12.3 (16 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 55% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 79%
10, New Mexico Tolerance score: 67 out of 100 Hate crime score: 32 out of 40 Discrimination score: 25 out of 40 Gay rights score: 4 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 1.3 (12 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 12.2 (15 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 49% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 62%
11, Virginia Tolerance score: 66 out of 100 Hate crime score: 24 out of 40 Discrimination score: 35 out of 40 Gay rights score: 1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 1.9 (20 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 8.5 (2 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 42% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 69%
12, Iowa Tolerance score: 64 out of 100 Hate crime score: 34 out of 40 Discrimination score: 16 out of 40 Gay rights score: 6 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 0.6 (7 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 37.5 (48 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 44% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 73%
13, North Carolina Tolerance score: 63 out of 100 Hate crime score: 25 out of 40 Discrimination score: 30 out of 40 Gay rights score: 2 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 1.1 (11 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 11.5 (10 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 36% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 62%
14, Connecticut Tolerance score: 63 out of 100 Hate crime score: 18 out of 40 Discrimination score: 27 out of 40 Gay rights score: 10 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 5.6 (47 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 16.8 (30 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 57% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 73%
15, Florida Tolerance score: 61 out of 100 Hate crime score: 32 out of 40 Discrimination score: 21 out of 40 Gay rights score: 0 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 0.7 (9 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 18.7 (32 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 41% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 72%
16, Louisiana Tolerance score: 59 out of 100 Hate crime score: 34 out of 40 Discrimination score: 19 out of 40 Gay rights score: 0 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 0.5 (6 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 14.8 (25 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 36% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 70%
17, New York Tolerance score: 59 out of 100 Hate crime score: 18 out of 40 Discrimination score: 27 out of 40 Gay rights score: 6 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 3.3 (35 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 17.8 (31 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 58% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 77%
18, Massachusetts Tolerance score: 59 out of 100 Hate crime score: 18 out of 40 Discrimination score: 23 out of 40 Gay rights score: 10 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 5.1 (43 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 21.1 (37 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 62% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 79%
19, West Virginia Tolerance score: 58 out of 100 Hate crime score: 24 out of 40 Discrimination score: 26 out of 40 Gay rights score: 2 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 1.4 (13 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 12.6 (18 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 41% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 70%
20, Nevada Tolerance score: 58 out of 100 Hate crime score: 25 out of 40 Discrimination score: 23 out of 40 Gay rights score: 2 out of 10 Religious Tolerance Score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 2.1 (23 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 15.9 (27 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage: 50% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 73%
21, Montana Tolerance score: 58 out of 100 Hate crime score: 15 out of 40 Discrimination score: 36 out of 40 Gay rights score: 1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 2.9 (30 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 8.7 (3 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 45% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 63%
22, Rhode Island Tolerance score: 57 out of 100 Hate crime score: 22 out of 40 Discrimination score: 22 out of 40 Gay rights score: 5 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 3.4 (37 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 24.4 (45 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 60% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 73%
23, Alaska Tolerance score: 56 out of 100 Hate crime score: 13 out of 40 Discrimination score: 34 out of 40 Gay rights score: 1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 3.1 (31 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 9.3 (6 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 45% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 77%
24, Washington Tolerance score: 56 out of 100 Hate crime score: 22 out of 40 Discrimination score: 22 out of 40 Gay rights score: 6 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 3.1 (32 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 20.6 (36 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 54% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 68%
25, Vermont Tolerance score: 56 out of 100 Hate crime score: 16 out of 40 Discrimination score: 22 out of 40 Gay rights score: 10 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 4.0 (39 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 21.7 (39 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 59% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 79%
26, Oregon Tolerance score: 56 out of 100 Hate crime score: 18 out of 40 Discrimination score: 28 out of 40 Gay rights score: 4 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 5.5 (45 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 12.9 (20 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 52% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 70%
27, Maine Tolerance score: 55 out of 100 Hate crime score: 19 out of 40 Discrimination score: 19 out of 40 Gay rights score: 7 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 10 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 3.8 (38 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 22.5 (40 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 55% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 82%
28, Delaware Tolerance score: 53 out of 100 Hate crime score: 13 out of 40 Discrimination score: 28 out of 40 Gay rights score: 4 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 4.2 (40 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 15.8 (26 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 50% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 71%
29, Texas Tolerance score: 52 out of 100 Hate crime score: 32 out of 40 Discrimination score: 15 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 0.7 (8 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 18.8 (34 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 35% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 65%
30, Michigan Tolerance score: 52 out of 100 Hate crime score: 21 out of 40 Discrimination score: 22 out of 40 Gay rights score: 1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 3.2 (34 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 21.2 (38 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 46% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 72%
31, Colorado Tolerance score: 52 out of 100 Hate crime score: 16 out of 40 Discrimination score: 26 out of 40 Gay rights score: 2 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 4.2 (41 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 10.3 (8 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 52% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 72%
32, Georgia Tolerance score: 50 out of 100 Hate crime score: 24 out of 40 Discrimination score: 21 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 0.1 (2 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 12.5 (17 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 34% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 63%
33, Indiana Tolerance score: 49 out of 100 Hate crime score: 18 out of 40 Discrimination score: 21 out of 40 Gay rights score: 2 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 1.5 (14 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 16.4 (29 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 37% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 73%
34, Tennessee Tolerance score: 49 out of 100 Hate crime score: 21 out of 40 Discrimination score: 23 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 2.7 (26 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 13.8 (23 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 31% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 63%
35, Oklahoma Tolerance score: 48 out of 100 Hate crime score: 25 out of 40 Discrimination score: 18 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 1.6 (17 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 13.8 (22 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 26% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 65%
36, South Carolina Tolerance score: 48 out of 100 Hate crime score: 13 out of 40 Discrimination score: 30 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 2.7 (27 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 10.6 (9 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 32% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 61%
37, Missouri Tolerance score: 47 out of 100 Hate crime score: 24 out of 40 Discrimination score: 15 out of 40 Gay rights score: 0 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 2.1 (22 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 29.4 (46 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 37% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 73%
38, Mississippi Tolerance score: 46 out of 100 Hate crime score: 27 out of 40 Discrimination score: 16 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 4 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 0.2 (3 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 11.6 (11 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 27% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 59%
39, South Dakota Tolerance score: 46 out of 100 Hate crime score: 10 out of 40 Discrimination score: 28 out of 40 Gay rights score: 0 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 5.8 (48 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 9.4 (7 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 38% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 79%
40, Alabama Tolerance score: 44 out of 100 Hate crime score: 26 out of 40 Discrimination score: 15 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 4 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 0.3 (4 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 12.8 (19 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 26% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 59%
41, Kentucky Tolerance score: 43 out of 100 Hate crime score: 14 out of 40 Discrimination score: 24 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 4.7 (42 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 13.4 (21 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 31% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 69%
42, North Dakota Tolerance score: 42 out of 100 Hate crime score: 16 out of 40 Discrimination score: 18 out of 40 Gay rights score: 0 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 2.3 (25 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 32.8 (47 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 38% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 79%
43, Arizona Tolerance score: 42 out of 100 Hate crime score: 20 out of 40 Discrimination score: 15 out of 40 Gay rights score: 1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 3.4 (36 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 18.7 (33 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 48% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 64%
44, Utah Tolerance score: 41 out of 100 Hate crime score: 16 out of 40 Discrimination score: 24 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 2 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 1.7 (18 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 11.8 (12 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 22% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 45%
45, Idaho Tolerance score: 41 out of 100 Hate crime score: 22 out of 40 Discrimination score: 16 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 4 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 2.3 (24 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 23.9 (42 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 33% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 60%
46, Ohio Tolerance score: 40 out of 100 Hate crime score: 15 out of 40 Discrimination score: 16 out of 40 Gay rights score: 1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 3.1 (33 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 24.2 (44 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 45% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 76%
47, Nebraska Tolerance score: 40 out of 100 Hate crime score: 17 out of 40 Discrimination score: 16 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 5.1 (44 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 38.8 (49 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 35% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 78%
48, Kansas Tolerance score: 38 out of 100 Hate crime score: 12 out of 40 Discrimination score: 18 out of 40 Gay rights score: 0 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 8 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 5.6 (46 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 23.0 (41 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 37% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 71%
49, Arkansas Tolerance score: 37 out of 100 Hate crime score: 15 out of 40 Discrimination score: 17 out of 40 Gay rights score: -1 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 2.7 (28 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 23.9 (43 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 29% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 63%
50, Wyoming Tolerance score: 32 out of 100 Hate crime score: 16 out of 40 Discrimination score: 8 out of 40 Gay rights score: 2 out of 10 Religious Tolerance score: 6 out of 10 Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents:: 1.5 (15 out of 50 states) Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents:: 201.9 (50 out of 50 states) Population in support of same-sex marriage:: 37% Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life:: 63%
