New Poll: Americans Favor a Gay President Over an Atheist President

A new poll from the Pew Research Center finds the majority of American voters would vote for an openly gay presidential candidate over an atheist presidential candidate, Gay Star News reports.

According to the research, 66 percent of voters say a candidate's sexuality would not impact their vote while 27 percent a gay or lesbian candidate would make them less likely to gain their vote. Additionally, 5% said they would view an out candidate more favorably.

Though American voters seem to be more open to a gay president, 53 percent of American voters said they were less likely to vote for an atheist presidential candidate while 41 percent said it would not matter to them. Again, 5% said they would be more likely to vote for an atheist presidential candidate.

The poll also revealed that 17 percent of American voters would be less likely to vote for an Evangelical Christian, 21 percent said they would be more likely to vote for one and 58 percent said it didn't matter to them. Nine percent said they would be more likely to vote for a Catholic presidential candidate, 8% said they would be less likely and 81% said they did not care.

"Not believing in God and never having held elected office before are the most negatively viewed traits among those tested," Pew's researchers said in the study which was based on telephone interviews conducted between April 23 and 27. The study spoke with 1,501 adults in all 50 states and D.C.