As the Supreme Court prepares to decide a key case involving states' requirements to recognize same-sex marriage, public support for allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally continues its rapid rise: A 57% majority of Americans now favor allowing same-sex marriage, and 39% oppose, according to a new national survey by Pew Research Center. This is the highest level of support measured for same-sex marriage in nearly 20 years of Pew Research Center polling of the issue. As recently as five years ago, more opposed ( 48% ) same-sex marriage than supported it ( 42% ).
Yet even as support for same-sex marriage has increased among nearly all segments in the public, some groups remain broadly opposed to gay marriage. ( See detailed demographic breakdowns and long-term trends on same-sex marriage. )
The survey, conducted May 12-18 among 2,002 adults, finds partisans are as divided as ever on this issue: Today, 65% of Democrats and an identical percentage of independents favor gay marriage; only about a third ( 34% ) of Republicans do so. Growing shares of all three groups support same-sex marriage, yet the differences between Democrats and Republicans are as wide today as they were a decade ago.
However, with same-sex marriage legal in 36 states ( and the District of Columbia ) and the possibility of a Supreme Court decision on its nationwide status, Republicans ( 72% ) are just as likely as Democrats ( 72% ) and independents ( 74% ) to say that it is "inevitable" that same-sex marriage will be legally recognized.
Among the survey's key findings:
Strong support for gay rights among younger Americans. Younger generations have long been more accepting of homosexuality and of same-sex marriage than older generations, and as Millennials have entered adulthood, those views have influenced overall public opinion. Nearly three-quarters ( 73% ) of Millennials currently favor legal recognition, with fully 45% saying they strongly favor it. A more modest majority ( 59% ) of Gen Xers also support same-sex marriage, while Baby Boomers' opinions are divided ( 45% favor, 48% oppose ); among those in the Silent Generation, just 39% favor same-sex marriage, while 53% oppose.
White evangelical Protestants stand out for deep opposition to same-sex marriage. Just 27% favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry, while 70% oppose it ( 43% strongly oppose ); by contrast, majorities of both Catholics ( 56% ) and white mainline Protestants ( 62% ) support same-sex marriage, along with an overwhelming majority ( 85% ) of the religiously unaffiliated.
More support for same-sex marriage among those with many gay acquaintances. Nearly nine-in-ten Americans ( 88% ) know someone who is gay or lesbian, with 28% saying they know "a lot" of gays or lesbians. About three-quarters ( 73% ) of those who say they personally know a lot of gays and lesbians favor same-sex marriage. A majority ( 59% ) of those who know no gays or lesbians oppose same-sex marriage.
Partisans rate their parties. Most Republicans and Republican leaners ( 57% ) say their party is not doing a good job of representing their views on same-sex marriage, and the party draws criticism from those on both sides of the issue. By contrast, 62% of Democrats and Democratic leaners say their party is doing a good job of representing their views. Democratic supporters of same-sex marriage rate their party much more positively than do Democratic opponents.
Most say gay person's sexual orientation cannot be changed. Six-in-ten Americans ( 60% ) say a gay or lesbian person's sexual orientation cannot be changed; just 33% say it can. In 2003, views on this measure were divided ( 42% said it can be changed, 42% said it cannot ).
More say people are 'born gay.' Nearly half of the public ( 47% ) says that people are born gay or lesbian, while 40% think being gay is a way people choose to live; 7% say it is a result of someone's upbringing. The share saying people are born gay has increased six points since 2013.
Detailed tables: Demographic breakdowns of attitudes about same-sex marriage at the link: www.people-press.org/2015/06/08/same-sex-marriage-detailed-tables/ .
Interactive timeline: Changing attitudes on same-sex marriage over time at the link: www.pewforum.org/2015/06/08/graphics-slideshow-changing-attitudes-on-gay-marriage/ .
The full report is for immediate release and available at: www.people-press.org/2015/06/08/support-for-same-sex-marriage-at-record-high-but-key-segments-remain-opposed/ .
