Analysis of Poll Data Shows Support for Marriage Equality Expanding, Diversifying
By Dani Heffernan, Senior Media Strategist at GLAAD |
A new report has been released by Freedom to Marry based on an analysis of national polling data that suggests a majority of voters across a wide range of demographics support marriage equality. The analysis was conducted by two leading pollsters, Democrat Joel Benenson and Republican Dr. Jan van Lohuizen.
Among the significant findings of the analysis is the show of majority support for marriage equality within several major faith groups, all except white evangelicals. The data also demonstrated that a majority of African-American, Latino and white voters under age 65, as well as a majority of all Republican voters in the same age bracket, support marriage equality.
As the population of those who believe same-sex couples should be able to legally marry has grown and diversified, the number of voters opposing these unions has narrowed. In addition to white evangelicals, a majority of white non-college graduates and voters over age 65 also said they were against marriage equality. However, despite this position, more than three quarters of voters in the analysis believed that same-sex couples will be able to legally marry throughout the nation within the next five to ten years.
With the coming U.S. Supreme Court hearing on the so-called "Defense of Marriage" Act (DOMA) and the anti-gay Proposition 8 this month, and as more states consider legislation to allow legal marriage for same-sex couples, media outlets reporting on marriage equality should make note of these significant findings. You can find the full polling analysis here. Additionally, you can find information on marriage equality and the two cases before the Supreme Court at GLAAD's Marriage page.
GLAAD is a part of the United for Marriage coalition, working with several marriage equality and justice organizations. Join GLAAD in Washington DC, March 25-27 as we stand United for Marriage. For full details, visit the United for Marriage web page and LIKE March 4 Marriage on Facebook.
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