Why has support for gay marriage increased

The increase in the share of adults who favor same-sex marriage over the past 15 years is due in part to generational change. Younger generations express higher levels of support for same-sex marriage. As the percentage of Americans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or something other than heterosexual continues to rise in the U.S., public support for same-sex marriage and views of the morality of same-sex relations remain high, although not holding at the peak levels recorded two years ago.

More Than Two-Thirds Support Marriage Equality Support for legal same-sex marriage has steadily increased in the United States for nearly a decade. Nearly seven in ten Americans (69%) favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally. Public opinion of same-sex marriage in the United States has significantly changed since the s, [2] and a majority of Americans now favor same-sex marriage. [3] From tosupport for recognized same-sex marriage increased between 1% and % per year, and accelerated thereafter, [4] rising above 50% in Pew Research Center polling for the first time in [5] A Public.

The size of that chasm is partially due to a substantial dip in why ha support for gay marriage increased among Republicans since An Associated Press polling analysis shows how same-sex marriage shifted from a clear minority position to a stance with broad support — and what the future could hold for views on the issue.

Growing Support for Gay Marriage: Changed Minds and Changing Demographics | Pew Research Center

A new national survey finds that much of the shift is attributable to the arrival of a large cohort of young adults — the Millennial generation — who are far more open to gay rights than previous generations. When those who say they have shifted to supporting same-sex marriage are asked why their views changed, people offer a range of answers.

For more on current views of same-sex marriage, see detailed demographic tables. We also took the opportunity to re-ask a couple of questions on attitudes to gay and lesbian people and same sex relationships from March Views on same-sex marriage have shifted dramatically in recent years. But partisan differences are substantial, and have grown in recent years.

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Same-sex marriage

Most Popular. Opinions about homosexuality and the possible impact same-sex marriage also have shifted substantially over the past decade. I access YouGov products and services as a business. Email Address. But two other factors also make the views of this group significant. Sign In Create your free profile. Audience Data. Presidential Election Baby Boomers.

Thank you for subscribing! For the why ha support for gay marriage increased time, a majority of Baby Boomers favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally. Skip to main content UK Australia. Public Data. Printable version. But the balance of opinion differs based on the wording of the question. The rise in support for same-sex marriage over the past decade is among the largest changes in opinion on any policy issue over this time period.

Latest Stories U. Canadian Election Just last month, Tennessee Gov. Support for allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally also has steadily risen across racial and ethnic groups. Table of Contents.