As the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments for and against same-sex marriage next month, a survey has found that support for marriage equality in the U.S. is at an all-time high.
1,000 people participated in the survey, which was conducted by Democrat Fred Yang and Republican Bill McInturff earlier this month. Pollsters found that 59 percent of Americans support same-sex marriage. That’s nearly double the support reported back in 2004, when only 30 percent of Americans said they supported it.
The breakdown of just who supports gay marriage is also interesting.
Pollsters found that support has grown significantly among Hispanics, women, and people without college degrees. Opposition among conservatives has also diminished, with 35 percent of conservatives in favor of gay marriage, up from 26 percent in 2013. And among Republicans, 40 percent reported support, up from to 27 percent two years ago.
It’s no surprise that Democrats and people ages 18-34 polled the highest in favor for gay marriage, with 74 percent saying they believed marriage equality ought to be the law of the land.
The nine justices are expected to hear oral arguments in April and deliver a ruling by June. If they side with the majority of Americans, gay marriage will most likely be made legal in every state.
Let the countdown begin.
Related stories:
All The Irrational & Ignorant Fears About Gay Marriage Set To Country Music, Just Because
Queen Elizabeth II Says Gay Marriage Is Absolutely “Wonderful”
Christian Group Kicks Off All-You-Can-Eat Fast To Oppose Marriage Equality
Giancarlo85
It’s a poll done on a good sample too… so no issue there. I’ve seen another poll earlier this month that said 61%. So they pretty much all say the same thing. Of course this is a national poll. It’s taking the view of the overall country. Some states have greater opposition, like Alabama for example. Of course, I don’t think civil rights should be up for vote.
Bauhaus
Yet, the conservative justices will still find a way to side with the bigots. Nino can’t help it. Neither can Thomas. Nor can Alito.
jwtraveler
I’m still shocked by how quickly public opinion has shifted on this. When will LGBT people be added to the Civil Rights Act so that we have full legal equality in employment, housing, education and all other areas of life?
lcandela123
@Bauhaus: Thomas is just a carbuncle that popped off of Scalia.
Hillers
Fifty nine percent is still barely the majority. I get that progress can be slow, but it’s still disheartening to know that some forty one percent of Americans would still see us as second-class citizens.
SteveDenver
It also depends upon how the question is asked: If people are asked if they support gay marriage, it’s a close split. If people are asked if they care if gays get married, the response is overwhelmingly NO.
Giancarlo85
@Hillers: It’s a clear majority actually. How can I say that? Because look at the percentage opposed in the poll.
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/03/09/support-for-gay-marriage-hits-all-time-high-wsjnbc-news-poll/
Now this site should actually take the time and post the link to the POLL in the first place.
The support level is 59%. The opposition is 33%. That doesn’t add to 100% obviously. 8% are undecided or provided no answer. Yes 1/3rd according to the poll still oppose same sex marriage, but it is a sharp drop over the last few years.
transiteer
From Canada. Took you long enough . . . .
jwtraveler
@transiteer: Yeah. And we’re still trying to convince our elected officials that health care should not be a privilege reserved for the rich.
gaym50ish
@SteveDenver: Indeed it does depend on how the questions are asked.
The Public Religion Research Institute conducted a survey in 2011. When Catholics were asked if they favored same-sex marriage, 43 percent answered in the affirmative. When the question was reworded to specify “civil marriage” — which is, after all, the only thing at issue here — the percentage in favor jumped to 71 percent.
In other words, many people still don’t understand the issue. Many still wrongly believe that legal same-sex marriage will force their churches to embrace marriage for gays.
Giancarlo85
That was a 2011 poll a lot has changed in the last four years. Now even if it is called same sex marriage a majority of Catholics support it. Even with no mention of civil marriage. Look using outdated polling kind of discredits your point.