As for the perception of the status of homosexuality, 28% of the first-generation respondents feel that, in their country of origin, homosexuality is against the law whereas only 5% of their children believe so. When it comes to religion, 35% of first-generation immigrants think that, in their country of origin, homosexuality goes against their religion whereas only 18% of the second generation thinks so. As for personal freedom, that is, homosexuality as a personal choice, 40% of first-generation respondents are of this opinion whereas 65% of the second generation believe that it is a matter of personal choice.

Still on the topic of the perception of homosexuality in their country of origin, nearly half of respondents, in other words 48% of the first generation, believe homosexuality is an illness or a deviant behaviour versus 24% of their children who feel so. Is being gay or lesbian like having any other sexual orientation? Some 39% of first-generation respondents agree that it is, versus 69% among the second generation.

After having confirmed respondents’ perception of the status of homosexuality in their country of origin, the survey focused on respondents’ individual perceptions. When asked “Would you say that being gay or lesbian is like having any other sexual orientation?”, 62% of first-generation immigrants shared this view whereas 86% of the second-generation respondents felt so. Both generations think that this perception would be less favourable in their country of origin.

Homosexuality as something normal

Half of first-generation immigrants, in other words 50%, believe that homosexuality is normal, versus 71% of those from the second generation.

Having a gay or lesbian child

As a parent, would I be ashamed to tell my family that I have a lesbian daughter or a gay son? 56% of first-generation respondents and 81% second-generation respondents would not feel this way.

If a referendum or ballot initiative were held to maintain or abolish the right for same-sex couples to marry, 49% of first-generation immigrants would vote to abolish it. However, the weight of their vote would be diminished by their children’s vote since 70% of the latter would vote to maintain this right.

Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and religion

The majority of those asked, that is, 59% of first-generation immigrants and 74% of second-generation immigrants, feel that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation should be prohibited just as discrimination on the basis of religious beliefs is.

Being acquainted with gays and lesbians

The majority of people from cultural communities who were asked say that they personally know at least one person who is gay or lesbian: 68% of first-generation immigrants and 90% of the second generation.

Legal rights organisations

By and large, first and second-generation immigrants are unfamiliar with or unaware of legal rights organisations for gays and lesbians in their community.

Conclusion

Generally speaking, immigrants’ perception of homosexuality is influenced by the status of homosexuality in their country of origin. Respondents from African and Asian countries are clearly less open-minded toward homosexuality than immigrants from Western Europe are. This survey was carried out via telephone interviews by Léger Marketing among 500 legal-age Québec residents from cultural communities, able to speak French or English, between March 26 and April 11, 2009. Results have been weighted according to Statistics Canada’s immigration profile. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.6%, 19 times out of 20.

• Full survey results (PDF)
• Press Release (Fondation Émergence)