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Public Opinion
The public is increasingly open to ending the exclusion of same-sex couples and their families from marriage.
In past civil rights movements, legislative and especially judicial actions towards equality occurred well before the public expressed complete comfort with equality. Although many in the public are still wrestling with the idea of fairness for all families, public support for marriage equality is growing faster in this civil rights movement than ever before. Also, our resources for judging public opinion are continuing to improve as polls begin to ask objective, unbiased questions, and pro-marriage state legislators are re-elected in astounding numbers.
Use the key resources below to learn more about public opinion supporting the freedom to marry.
NATIONWIDE SUPPORT FOR FAIRNESS:
Majority of Americans Support Freedom to Marry Person of One’s Choice
USA Today reports six in 10 Americans (63%) say the government should not regulate whether gays and lesbians can marry the people they choose.
Nearly Half of American Voters Support Freedom to Marry for Gay and Lesbian Couples
Harris Interactive reports 47% of nationwide adults support gay people's freedom to marry.
Gallup Poll Tracks Dramatic Increase in Support for Marriage Equality:
Nationwide support for marriage equality increased nearly 20 percentage points over the past decade, moving from 27% in 1996 to 46% in 2007.
Younger Generations Lead the Way
According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, a majority (53%) of Americans under 30 approve of marriage equality.
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STATEWIDE MAJORITIES FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY:
A majority (59%) of New Jersey voters say they’d be fine with the state legislature upgrading civil unions to marriage equality, and 69 percent of New Jerseyans say marriage equality is inevitable in the state. [Zogby International, August 2008]
A majority (56%) of Massachusetts voters favor marriage equality. [Boston Globe Poll, March 2005]
A majority (53%) of New York voters support ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage, an increase of six percentage points in just two years. [Global Strategy Group Poll, March 2006]
The Field Poll in California which surveyed CA residents’ opinions after the CA Supreme Court decision upholding the freedom to marry, showed a first-time majority (51%) in support of marriage equality and a majority against (54%) an anti-marriage initiative on the CA November 2008 ballot. [Field Poll, May 2008]
Vermonters’ support for ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage tops the opposition by a 20-point margin (57% to 36%). [ORC Macro International, February 2008]
A majority (53%) of Connecticut residents support the Connecticut Supreme Court ruling to uphold the freedom to marry. [Center for Survey Research and Analysis at the University of Connecticut, October 2008]
REPORTS ON PUBLIC OPINION:
Special Report on Marriage
The Pew Forum explores the marriage landscape in the United States.
American Values Survey (pdf)
The Center for American Values in Public Life at People for the American Way Foundation conducted in August 2006 a benchmark survey designed to provide a rigorous understanding of how Americans' religion and values impact political views and behavior. Findings refute claims about "values voters."
BACKGROUND: Marriage, exit polls and election 2004
Marriage played a role in the 2004 election, but not a decisive one. The numbers prove there is no national mandate for the religious right's ideology of homophobia.
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NEWS:
Read the latest polling news and public opinions.
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Evan Wolfson explains why we can't let our opponents slow us down, or let opinion polls dictate the fight for civil rights.
Taking a stand to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage does not hurt incumbents or candidates in their elections (pdf). As the number of pro-marriage incumbents and candidates continues to expand, they are winning their elections at overwhelming rates. This report presents various different states', and nationwide, election results as evidence that exhibiting leadership and voting right on the freedom to marry often helps and rarely hurts candidates and politicians.
The Center for American Values in Public Life at People for the American Way Foundation conducted in August 2006 a benchmark survey (pdf) designed to provide a rigorous understanding of how Americans' religion and values impact political views and behavior. Findings refute claims about "values voters."
