Jenner's Gender Change Changes Few Minds In Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania. Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll Finds

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Adults in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania have mixed feelings about Bruce Jenner's transition to Caitlyn Jenner, but most adults in these critical swing states say there is "a lot" or "some" social acceptance of transgender people in the nation today, according to a Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll released today.

Most adults in the three states say Jenner's transition from male to female won't affect society's attitudes about transgender people, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds. The Swing State Poll focuses on Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania because since 1960 no candidate has won the presidential race without taking at least two of these three states.

There are wide gender gaps in attitudes about Caitlyn Jenner in the three states:

• Florida - 33 percent, including 27 percent of men and 39 percent of women, have a favorable opinion, with 29 percent unfavorable and 22 percent who haven't heard enough about her to form an opinion;
• Ohio - 34 percent, including 24 percent of men and 43 percent of women, have a favorable opinion, with 32 percent unfavorable and 18 percent who haven't heard enough about her to form an opinion;
• Pennsylvania - 35 percent, including 27 percent of men and 42 percent of women, have a favorable opinion, with 33 percent unfavorable and 16 percent who haven't heard enough about her to form an opinion.

In each state, 16 percent of adults refused to answer the question.

"Adults in these three very influential states generally accept Caitlin Jenner's gender transition and more people believe broad acceptance of transgender people in the USA is a good thing than a bad thing for the country, but they don't see it bringing a seismic shift in attitudes overall," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll.

Florida

There is a small gender gap as 7 percent of Florida adults, including 5 percent of men and 9 percent of women, say Jenner's transition makes them feel more accepting of transgender people.

Nine percent, including 12 percent of men and 6 percent of women, are less accepting and 79 percent of adults say Jenner's transition doesn't change their mind.

There is a lot of social acceptance of transgender people in the U.S., 22 percent of Florida adults say, while 36 percent say there is some acceptance; 31 percent say only a little acceptance and 4 percent say there is none at all.

More acceptance of transgender people would be a good thing for the nation, 29 percent of Florida adults say, with 20 percent saying it would be a bad thing and 43 percent saying it would not make much difference.

Jenner's transition will make society more accepting of transgender people, 29 percent say, while 7 percent say less accepting and 55 percent say it won't change society's feelings.

"Bruce Jenner's transformation to Caitlyn Jenner is more acceptable to Florida women than to men," Malloy said. "And the older the voters get, the less inclined they are to accept the transition and believe it is societally beneficial."

Ohio

The gender gap all but disappears as 7 percent of Ohio adults, including 6 percent of men and 8 percent of women, say Jenner's transition makes them feel more accepting of transgender people.

Nine percent, including 10 percent of men and 7 percent of women, are less accepting and 81 percent of adults say Jenner's transition doesn't change their mind.

There is a lot of social acceptance of transgender people in the U.S., 17 percent of Ohio adults say, while 44 percent say there is some acceptance; 31 percent say only a little acceptance and 3 percent say there is none at all.

More acceptance of transgender people would be a good thing for the nation, 32 percent of Ohio adults say, with 21 percent saying it would be a bad thing and 43 percent saying it would not make much difference.

Jenner's transition will make society more accepting of transgender people, 30 percent say, while 7 percent say less accepting and 57 percent say it won't change society's feelings.

"Ohioans in modest numbers see Bruce Jenner's transition to a woman as a positive step toward shifting society's views on transgender Americans, but most of the people we surveyed think it will be more of a ripple than a tidal wave of acceptance," Malloy said.

Pennsylvania

There is a small gender gap as 6 percent of Pennsylvania adults, including 4 percent of men and 8 percent of women, say Jenner's transition makes them feel more accepting of transgender people.

Seven percent of men and women are less accepting and 84 percent say Jenner's transition doesn't change their mind.

There is a lot of social acceptance of transgender people in the U.S., 19 percent of Pennsylvania adults say, while 43 percent say there is some acceptance; 31 percent say only a little acceptance and 2 percent say there is none at all.

More acceptance of transgender people would be a good thing for the nation, 30 percent of Pennsylvania adults say, with 17 percent saying it would be a bad thing and 49 percent saying it would not make much difference.

Jenner's transition will make society more accepting of transgender people, 30 percent say, while 7 percent say less accepting and 57 percent say it won't change society's feelings.

"More Pennsylvanians seem to accept rather than reject transgender Americans, but they believe transgender people may not reap great benefits from Bruce Jenner's transition to Caitlyn Jenner," Malloy said.

From June 4 - 15 Quinnipiac University surveyed:

• 1,335 Florida adults with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points;
• 1,376 Ohio adults with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points;
• 1,131 Pennsylvania adults with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points.

Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, Colorado and the nation as a public service and for research.

For more information, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.

59. (Adults) As you may know, Bruce Jenner has transitioned to a woman, and is now known as Caitlyn Jenner. Is your opinion of Caitlyn Jenner favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about her? 60. (Adults) Overall, how much social acceptance, if any, of transgender people do you think there is in this country today; a lot, some, only a little, or none at all? 61. (Adults) Do you think more acceptance of transgender people would be a good thing or a bad thing for the country or that it would not make much difference either way? 62. (Adults) Do you think Bruce Jenner transitioning from male to female will make society more accepting of transgender people, less accepting of transgender people, or won't change society's feelings toward transgender people one way or the other? 63. (Adults) Does Bruce Jenner transitioning from male to female make you feel more accepting of transgender people, less accepting of transgender people, or hasn't it changed your feelings toward transgender people one way or the other?