OK to be gay? Regional acceptance of same-sex relations

Is it okay to be gay? The recent spate of suicides among young gays said to have been bullied over their sexual identity has raised that simple question as never before. And a new nationwide survey from the University of Chicago suggests that public opinion on homosexual behavior is sharply divided.

Overall, 44 percent of those who participated in the survey said "sexual relations between two adults of the same sex" is "always wrong" - with 41 percent saying gay sex is "not wrong at all."

But there were big regional differences in attitudes about homosexuality. In which parts of the country are people most accepting of homosexuality? Where are people least accepting? Keep clicking to see how nine regions of the country stack up...

New England

New England is more accepting of gays than any other region in the country - 27 percent of adults in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont say they think homosexual relations are "always wrong."

This rainbow flag is waved outside the Massachusetts State House during a 2004 debate about same-sex marriage, which the state allows.

Pacific

The Pacific region is a bit less accepting of homosexuality than New England - 37.5 percent of adults in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington classify homosexual relations as "always wrong."

In this picture, a gay couple holds the state flag outside the California Supreme Court on May 15, 2008, after the Court overturned a ban on gay marriage.

Middle Atlantic

In the Middle Atlantic - New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania - 39.3 percent of adults say homosexual relations are "always wrong."

One significant event in this region is the story of Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old Rutgers University student who killed himself in 2010 after his gay encounters were broadcast over the Internet.

West North Central

In the West North Central region - Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota - 43.8 percent of adults say homosexual relations are "always wrong."

In this photo, activists react to the Iowa Supreme Court's decision to legalize gay marriage in 2009.

East North Central

In the East North Central region - Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin - 46.4 percent of adults say homosexual relations are "always wrong."

This picture shows a 2004 rally in Chicago.

Mountain

Close to half - 47.2 percent - of adults in the Mountain states (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Montana, Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming) say homosexual relations are "always wrong."

This picture was taken in 2008 outside the Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City. Protesters marched against the Mormon church's stance against gay marriage.

South Atlantic

In the South Atlantic - Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia - 54.8 percent of adults say homosexual relations are "always wrong."

This picture shows demonstrators marching in downtown Washington, D.C.

West South Central

In the West South Central region - Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas - 68.1 percent of adults say homosexual relations are "always wrong."

This picture was taken during a 2005 protest in Little Rock, Arkansas.

1. East South Central

Which region of the U.S. has the most negative attitude toward gays? East South Central - 73.7 percent of adults in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee consider homosexual relations "always wrong."