By Nate Rau
Patrick McAnally said he generally falls on the conservative side of the political spectrum, where he supports new Gov. Bill Haslam and opposes the federal health care law.
But on the issue of gays serving in the military, adopting children or marrying, McAnally breaks ranks. The 21-year-old Nashville resident believes gays should be allowed to serve in the armed services. He also believes gay couples should be allowed to adopt children, though on issue of marriage, McAnally believes that issue should be decided by individual churches and not the government.
A majority of Tennessee residents agree with McAnally regarding gay soldiers serving in the military according to a poll conducted by Vanderbilt University’s Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. According to the poll, 52 percent of residents favor or strongly favor allowing gays to serve in the military.
Tennesseans oppose adoption rights for gay couples, with nearly 64 percent opposing or strongly in opposition. An even higher number of Tennessee residents – 73 percent – oppose gay marriage.