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Previous research has shown that mass perceptions about the sizes of minority populations are influenced by sociodemographic, threat, and context variables. This paper extends the analysis to a population group that has thus far received only limited attention, gays and lesbians. Our analysis of a statewide survey of Florida residents in 2002 shows that people in sociodemographic groups associated with low levels of political knowledge were more likely to report higher estimates of the gay population. Threat variables and objective context had relatively little impact, but estimates also were higher among individuals who reported personal contact with gays and lesbians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides information on the 2002 annual membership meeting called to order by outgoing American Association for Public Opinion Research president Don Dillman at Saint Pete Beach, Florida in May. Secretary-treasurer Rob Santos reported that the financial status is good. The association has a surplus of $40,000. In the membership committee report, Dawn Nelson reported that the association have 1,378 members. A variety of outreach efforts were made, including sending e-mails and letters and making phone calls to lapsed members. Scott Keeter reported that the Standards Committee was enlarged to include members from each chapter and Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics and Consortium of Social Science Associations representatives. Diane O'Rourke, chair of the Endowment Committee, asked the members present to review the conference program booklet. They show the goals of the endowment, the status of the funds and the names of the members and organizations who have contributed since the inception of the fund in October 2000. Dick Kulta, reported that despite concerns about attendance after September 11, 2001, numbers were fine. He received 332 submissions resulting in 229 papers, 59 sessions, 10 roundtable discussions and 3 poster sessions.

Presents news briefs on public health as of September 1999. Actions taken by a Florida court against tobacco companies; Information on a white paper on public health released by the British government in July 1999; Views of medical examiner Steven Karch on the availability of cocaine in Europe.

Presents an abstract of a paper entitled `Functional Outcome Survey: Attitudes and Opinions of Florida Physical Therapy Association Members,' by S. Bernstein, T. Ball et al, presented at the Physical Therapy `97: Scientific Meeting and Exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association.