The LGBT Politics of Religious Nones

Abstract

Abstract Although nonreligious Americans are more likely than religious Americans to support LGBT rights, we know little about variation among the nonreligious. Research points to large political differences among nonreligious Americans, which could extend to views of LGBT rights. Using nationally representative survey data, we find that atheists are sometimes more supportive of LGBT rights than are agnostics; atheists and agnostics are consistently more supportive than the “nothing in particular” (NIPs); and atheists, agnostics, and NIPs are more supportive than most religious Americans. Political orientation partially mediates these associations but robust differences among the nonreligious and between the nonreligious and various religious affiliates remain after controlling for politics. We conclude by noting that just as evangelical Protestants occupy a unique position among the religiously affiliated, atheists are distinct from other nonreligious Americans in their views of LGBT rights, while NIPs more closely align with the religiously affiliated.