I take issue to the results of these polls! As a non-homosexual lesbian, I have to say that people need to be more accepting of my homosexual sisters. This kind of one-sided behavior is unbecoming to a civilized society and I want no part of any perceived or actual privilege of being one of the folks who are actively accep— ahh never mind, I can’t do it. Too much self contradiction. 
I thought it was the other way around.
Gay does seem a “friendlier” term, as it’s like on a continuum. You can be a little bit gay for someone, or you can be really gay- but it’s along a sliding scale.
Homosexual seems a bit more militant, you’re drawing the line. Either you’re homosexual or you’re heterosexual. It seems to want to draw the line and dare you to cross it.
People might be more biased against the homosexual term for that reason- they immediately jump to heterosexual vs. homosexual, and perhaps feel threatened? But when you hear about someone being gay, well that’s just a common enough term and it’s not really bringing to mind the idea of “heterosexuality”, but rather straight another colloquial term. Gays and Straights, sure let them serve along side each other- but you gotta keep the “homos” away from the “heteros”. That’s the only real difference I can think of for why people might dislike the terms. One’s more formal and forwards, while the other seems inviting and less dogmatic of a term.
The author of the OP is clearly rather naive.
Let’s ignore politics. This is prospect theory, ladies and gentlemen. The framing of precisely the same question has myriad effects upon how it is answered, but the main point is that most of these effects are simply not logical in any way, shape or form.
Take a look at the works of Daniel Kahneman and work from there, if you really care, but I suspect you want another partisan bitchfest instead 
Excellent suggestion. Manners are often considered gay, but not so often homosexual.
Anyone want to take bets on Rand Rover ignoring this post despite having posted twice since you posted it?
By the by, as a moderate who’s only been a Democrat for a few years, I couldn’t agree more with your assessment.
Gay is a smal word, easy to say, and sounds kinda cheerful and happy.
Homosexual is a big word and big scary sounding words scare people.
Heterosexual is an even BIGGER word.
Hell no, I don’t want no big word heterosexuals in “my” army.
Republicans, people, potato, potahto.
That’s actually a pretty good point, although if they said, “gay men and women”, people might interpret as “gay men, and women” and assume that if they exclude gay men they exclude all women too.
That’s because it’s the homosexuals, not the gays, who put dihydrogen monoxide into our water supply.
Nooooooooooooooo!
We’re all DOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
Liberal douche says what?
What’s to discuss? The poll shows two things: the Democratic party is deeply homophobic, and that they’re still less homophobic than Republicans.
Is there any controversy over this? What needs to be debated about it?
Well, well, if it isn’t Ignoring Points Jones himself. Really, it’s not insulting or funny if it’s just tiring. Bland Rover, I think we’ll call you.
I read a recent poll that asked:
*“Which of the following groups of people do you believe would make acceptable members of the U.S. Military?”
*
Here are the groups included, followed by the percentage of respondents who said they were OK with that group serving:
Gays / Lesbians: 43%
Homosexuals: 17%
Homosecksurals: 4%
Faggots: 8%
That fabulous boy who frosts my hair: 94%
Liberal douche = organic vinegar and Evian?