Appendix Two: Survey Results

The survey was not intended to duplicate the research and findings of more rigorously scientific studies but was designed to further the goal of a pastoral document presenting, and speaking to, the experience of the gay and lesbian People of God. Participants were asked to give their response to each statement according to the following scale: 1 = Disagree strongly; 2 = Disagree;  3 = Unsure;  4 = Agree;  5 = Agree strongly.

GENITALITY AND SPIRITUALITY

1. Christian spirituality affects or influences me before I decide to act or not to act genitally.

Respondents: 822

Average: 3.481

1 = 6.69% 
2 = 17.40% 
3 = 13.87% 
4 = 45.01% 
5 = 17.03%

2. Christian spirituality affects or influences me as I am actively involved in genital acts.

Respondents: 821

Average: 3.143

1 = 10.84% 
2 = 25.09% 
3 = 13.76% 
4 = 39.83% 
5 = 10.48%

3. Christian spirituality affects or influences me as I reflect back on past genital activities.

 

Respondents: 820

Average: 3.650

1 = 6.10% 
2 = 15.61% 
3 = 12.68% 
4 = 46.46% 
5 = 19.15%

4. Christian spirituality should affect or influence me before I decide to act or not to act genitally.

 

Respondents: 819

Average: 3.782

1 = 5.74% 
2 = 10.26% 
3 = 10.38% 
4 = 47.37% 
5 = 26.25%

5. Christian spirituality should affect or influence me as I am actually involved in genital acts.

 

Respondents: 818

Average: 3.422

1 = 8.56% 
2 = 17.36% 
3 = 15.04% 
4 = 41.44% 
5 = 17.60%

6. Christian spirituality should affect or influence me as I reflect back on past genital activities.

 

Respondents: 816

Average: 3.628

1 = 6.86% 
2 = 12.25% 
3 = 12.75% 
4 = 47.43% 
5 = 20.71%

 

SPIRITUALITY AND MATURITY

7. Having to make hard personal choices regarding my sexual life-style has made me a stronger person and a better Christian.

Respondents: 825

Average: 4.176

1 = .97% 
2 = 5.82% 
3 = 9.33% 
4 = 42.42% 
5 = 41.45%

(either 8A or 8B was to be answered)

8A. I am a sexually active gay or lesbian person. I am comfortable with my lifestyle and my relationship with the Lord Jesus.

 

Respondents: 697

Average: 4.291

1 = 1.15% 
2 = 3.3% 
3 = 6.03% 
4 = 44.76% 
5 = 44.76%

 

8B. I am a sexually inactive gay or lesbian person. I am comfortable with my lifestyle and my relationship with the Lord Jesus.

 

Respondents: 129

Average: 3.622

1 = 6.2% 
2 = 15.50% 
3 = 12.40% 
4 = 39.53% 
5 = 26.36%

 

9. I am angry at the Church for not providing proper assistance to gay or lesbian people in ethical decision-making.

 

Respondents: 821

Average: 3.820

1 = 2.8% 
2 = 15.23% 
3 = 12.42% 
4 = 36.30% 
5 = 33.25%

 

10. In making decisions regarding genital activity I follow criteria based on my study of the scriptures.

 

Respondents: 821

Average: 2.771

1 = 15.59% 
2 = 34.84% 
3 = 13.64% 
4 = 28.38% 
5 = 7.55%

 

11. In making decisions regarding genital activity I follow criteria based on official Church teachings.

 

Respondents: 821

Average: 1.803

1 = 41.9% 
2 = 44.95% 
3 = 5.12% 
4 = 7.06% 
5 = .97%

 

12. In making decisions regarding genital activity I follow criteria based on friends' opinions.

 

Respondents: 824

Average: 2.254

1 = 24.64% 
2 = 44.78% 
3 = 11.65% 
4 = 18.45% 
5 =.49%

 

13. In making decisions regarding genital activity I follow criteria based on the advice of a confessor or spiritual director.

 

Respondents: 819

Average: 2.443

1 = 22.47% 
2 = 42.12% 
3 = 7.94% 
4 = 23.57% 
5 = 3.91%

 

14. In making decisions regarding genital activity I follow criteria based on my personal experience and reflection.

 

Respondents: 826

Average: 4.498

1 = .61% 
2 = .97% 
3 = .85% 
4 = 43.22% 
5 = 54.36%

 

15. In making decisions regarding genital activity I follow criteria based on formal religious education.

Respondents: 825

Average: 2.271

1 = 26.67% 
2 = 42.55% 
3 = 10.55% 
4 = 17.45% 
5 = 2.79%

16. In making decisions regarding genital activity I follow criteria based on my experience with Dignity.

Respondents: 825

Average: 3.190

1 = 6.67% 
2 = 25.70% 
3 = 18.67% 
4 = 39.88% 
5 = 9.09%

17. In making decisions regarding genital activity I follow criteria based on my reading.

Respondents: 826

Average: 3.722

1 = 2.78% 
2 = 12.95% 
3 = 11.38% 
4 = 55.08% 
5 = 17.80%

18. In making decisions regarding genital activity I follow criteria based on prayer.

Respondents: 820

Average: 3.290

1 = 6.95%
2 = 24.51%
3 = 13.41%
4 = 42.80%
5 = 12.32%

19. In making decisions regarding genital activity I follow criteria based on health concerns.

Respondents: 824

Average: 4.263

1 = 1.46%
2 = 3.52%
3 = 3.16%
4 = 50.97%
5 = 40.90%

20. When I feel guilt about genital activity it is because I have violated my personal convictions.

Respondents: 812

Average: 3.973

1 = 3.69%
2 = 7.88%
3 = 7.88%
4 = 48.52%
5 = 32.02%

21. When I feel guilt about genital activity it is because I have gone against the Church's teachings.

Respondents: 816

Average: 2.116

1 = 33.33%
2 = 39.09%
3 = 13.11%
4 = 11.52%
5 = 2.94%

22. When I feel guilt about genital activity it is because I am afraid of legal consequences.

Respondents: 811

Average: 1.985

1 = 35.14%
2 = 44.88%
3 = 8.01%
4 = 10.23%
5 = 1.73%

23. When I feel guilt about genital activity it is because I am concerned about what people would think.

Respondents: 810

Average: 2.323

1 = 27.16%
2 = 38.15%
3 = 12.96%
4 = 19.63%
5 = 2.10%

24. When I feel guilt about genital activity it is because I believe my relationship with God/Christ has been adversely affected.

Respondents: 813

Average: 2.813

1 = 17.96%
2 = 29.27%
3 = 15.62%
4 = 27.80%
5 = 9.35%

ABSTINENCE FROM GENITALITY

25. Church teaching has been harmful in my development and has been an obstacle to my personal spiritual growth and honest stand before God.

Respondents: 819

Average: 3.743

1 = 4.03%
2 = 18.19%
3 = 8.79%
4 = 37.36%
5 = 31.62%

26. The Church's teaching has caused me to abstain more from Mass attendance and prayer than from genital activity.

Respondents: 811

Average: 2.937

1 = 18.13%
2 = 34.40%
3 = 5.30%
4 = 24.04%
5 = 18.13%

27. When I try to abstain from genital activity, I feel fulfilled as a person.

Respondents: 814

Average: 1.943

1 = 37.10%
2 = 43.61%
3 = 9.46%
4 = 7.49%
5 = 2.33%

28. When I allow myself genital expression, I feel more comfortable at prayer.

Respondents: 807

Average: 3.377

1 = 3.10%
2 = 14.37%
3 = 31.60%
4 = 40.02%
5 = .90%

29. When I try to abstain from genital activity, I am preoccupied with sex.

Respondents: 797

Average: 3.251

1 = 6.27%
2 = 26.22%
3 = 16.94%
4 = 37.26%
5 = 13.30%

30. When I am sexually active, I am preoccupied with sex.

Respondents: 814

Average: 2.427

1 = 11.30%
2 = 55.77%
3 = 14.62%
4 = 15.60%
5 = 2.70%

31. Genital abstinence is the only acceptable life-style available to gay or lesbian persons.

Respondents: 823

Average: 1.267

1 = 80.92%
2 = 14.22%
3 = 2.92%
4 = 1.09%
5 = .85%