Dash Posted May 26, 2011 Report Share Posted May 26, 2011 PRINCETON, NJ -- For the first time in Gallup's tracking of the issue, a majority of Americans (53%) believe same-sex marriage should be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages. The increase since last year came exclusively among political independents and Democrats. Republicans' views did not change. http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/vqf79nrpfewws7ibh-1u-q.gif These results are based on Gallup's May 5-8 Values and Beliefs poll, which has tracked attitudes toward legalizing same-sex marriage each year since 2004, adding to Gallup's initial polling on the topic in 1996 and 1999. This year's nine-percentage-point increase in support for same-sex marriage is the largest year-to-year shift yet measured over this time period. Two-thirds of Americans were opposed to legalized same-sex marriage in 1996, with 27% in favor. By 2004, support had risen to 42% and, despite some fluctuations from year to year, stayed at roughly that level through last year. Democrats' and Independents' Greater Acceptance Shifts the Balance Democrats' and independents' support for legalized same-sex marriage increased this year by 13 and 10 points, respectively. Republicans' views on the issue did not change from last year. Clear majorities of both Democrats and independents now support gay marriage, 69% and 59% respectively, contrasted with 28% support among Republicans. Majorities of moderates and liberals support gay marriage, as they did last year, contrasted with 28% of conservatives. http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/gjuyiibfpuo7c09cfwsb_w.gif Support for Legal Same-Sex Marriage Decreases Sharply With Age Support for legal gay marriage decreases markedly with age, ranging from 70% support among those aged 18 to 34, to 39% support among those 55 and older. More broadly, support is highest among younger women and lowest among older men. Compared with last year, support for legalizing same-sex marriage increased most among younger, 18- to 34-year-old Americans, and among men under 50. http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/2up53nvvmecnlkifjzopyw.gif Support for legal same-sex marriage is higher among those who attend church less frequently, among Catholics than among Protestants, and among those who are unmarried. Implications This year marks a significant uptick in support for legalizing same-sex marriage, exceeding the symbolic 50% mark for the first time in Gallup's history. Support rose from 27% in 1996 to the low 40% range in 2004 and remained fairly constant through last year. The issue does, however, remain highly divisive. While big majorities of Democrats and young people support the idea of legalizing same-sex marriage, fewer than 4 in 10 Republicans and older Americans agree. Republicans in particular seem fixed in their opinions; there was no change at all in their support level this year, while independents' and Democrats' support jumped by double-digit margins. Within the past year, Congress passed and President Obama signed a law allowing gay and lesbian members of the military to openly reveal their sexual orientation, rather than keeping it hidden as part of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. A majority of Americans have supported such a change in policy since 2005, rising to two-thirds support in 2009 and again last year. It is unclear whether the highly publicized official change in government policy on Don't Ask, Don't Tell may have been a factor in the rise in Americans' support for legalizing same-sex marriage. Most legislation dealing with legalizing same-sex marriage occurs at the state level. At this point, five states -- Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, plus the District of Columbia -- allow legal same-sex marriages. Most of the remaining states specifically outlaw it. At the moment, those advocating changes in constitutions and laws to allow same-sex marriage in additional states can take heart in the apparent shift in national sentiment in their direction. http://www.gallup.com/poll/147662/First-Time-Majority-Americans-Favor-Legal-Gay-Marriage.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lkr Posted May 26, 2011 Report Share Posted May 26, 2011 about damn time, its 2011 folks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JYD Posted May 27, 2011 Report Share Posted May 27, 2011 about damn time, its 2011 folksYeah, seriously, who gives a [expletive]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro Posted May 27, 2011 Report Share Posted May 27, 2011 Meh...they should be able to be together and get the same legal rights as married couples, but I think the religious aspect of it should be taken away completely in gay 'marriages' (and I am not a religious person). Having that thrown in there just causes way too much controversy and rifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastNiner Posted May 27, 2011 Report Share Posted May 27, 2011 It's good that the majority support gay marriage, but that doesn't mean that states should break the law when trying to institute gay marriage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JYD Posted May 27, 2011 Report Share Posted May 27, 2011 Meh...they should be able to be together and get the same legal rights as married couples, but I think the religious aspect of it should be taken away completely in gay 'marriages' (and I am not a religious person). Having that thrown in there just causes way too much controversy and rifts.Why not, though? Freedom of religion should allow that to happen - if you believe marriage is between a man and woman, that's fine - but guess what? This doesn't involve you. So someone who believes marriage is between love and love, they have a right to opinion too. It's good that the majority support gay marriage, but that doesn't mean that states should break the law when trying to institute gay marriage.You're right. No need to break the law. They should change it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro Posted May 27, 2011 Report Share Posted May 27, 2011 Why not, though? Freedom of religion should allow that to happen - if you believe marriage is between a man and woman, that's fine - but guess what? This doesn't involve you. So someone who believes marriage is between love and love, they have a right to opinion too. Freedom of religion simply allows you to follow any religion you want, but doesn't force that relgion to change their beliefs and practices to fit current laws and your wants/needs. If they can find a church that supports the whole 'love-love' idea as opposed 'man-woman', then go right ahead and get married. However, I think it causes much more trouble than its worth to give gay marriages that religious backing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NomarFachix Posted May 27, 2011 Report Share Posted May 27, 2011 grats, nitro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastNiner Posted May 27, 2011 Report Share Posted May 27, 2011 Why not, though? Freedom of religion should allow that to happen - if you believe marriage is between a man and woman, that's fine - but guess what? This doesn't involve you. So someone who believes marriage is between love and love, they have a right to opinion too. You're right. No need to break the law. They should change it. That's fine, but do it legally, like I said. Don't force it down our throats and go against what the laws say like they did in Massachusetts and did for healthcare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JYD Posted May 28, 2011 Report Share Posted May 28, 2011 (edited) That's fine, but do it legally, like I said. Don't force it down our throats and go against what the laws say like they did in Massachusetts and did for healthcare.And there'd probably still be slavery if there wasn't more rapid and forceful change in this country overtime. Edited May 28, 2011 by JYD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.