Today, a majority of Americans (54%) support same-sex marriage, compared with 39% who oppose it.
The survey was conducted in the wake of a series of rulings by federal judges that state bans on same-sex marriage and prohibitions on recognizing marriages performed elsewhere are unconstitutional.
The judges have said they relied on the reasoning in the Supreme Court’s 5 to 4 decision last June that struck down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act. The Defense of Marriage Act has previously withheld federal benefits from, and recognition of, same-sex couples married in states where such unions are legal. Since then, six federal courts have said same-sex couples must be allowed to marry in those states, including some of the most conservative states.
"Personally, I'm pleased the ban (of same-sex marriage) is struck down (in Wisconsin)," Joe McDonell, of Milwaukee. "Every loving couple should have the freedom to marry whomever they choose, and the fact that this freedom is now available in Wisconsin makes use us proud to be in a state that's standing up for marriage equality."
However, some would disagree. "The sacred institution of marriage should not be redefined by a few activist judges," said George Joughin, press secretary for a nonprofit organization. Having a court rule same-sex marriage mandatory, in his mind, "is really a stretch."
Jay Russell, an adult child of two female same-sex parents, believed marriage should be a man-woman union. Russell was outraged by the recent same-sex marriage law, admitting that he has “suffered from the lack of a father,” from the lack of “a daily presence, a character and a properly masculine example, some counterweight to the relationship of my mother to her lover. I lived that absence of a father, experienced it, as an amputation.”
Different Perspectives
Despite the changing views, deep chasms remain along religious, generational and political lines.
"I just don't believe in the marriage thing; the Bible says that isn't right," said Andrew Brown of Arizona.
Many people still want to preserve marriage as a man-woman union to further that vital social good. People like Lilly Perkins of Idaho are fighting to defend the state's voter-passed marriage amendment. "Americans are starting to realize that marriage is about a whole lot more than two people who love each other. It's about conscience rights and religious liberty," she said, citing public outcries over people losing their jobs or livelihoods because they didn’t support same-sex marriage.
In a March for Marriage in Washington to coincide with the Supreme Court hearings of same-sex marriage, Michael Perry of Cleveland raised his placard: "Every child deserves a mom & dad." He said he was hopeful that the March sends a clear message that "a majority of Americans still stand for marriage as it has handed down through the centuries."
Evan Swanson, a student of law, further argues that "Legalizing same-sex marriage will change the concept of family and the definition of parenting." Swanson cited studies of adolescence and said, if the American family loses the presence of the birth dad or mom in the home, as a consequence of same-sex marriage, there will be huge impact on the growth and stability of the next generation of children in that family: "We will have to fight with more cases of depression, alcohol consumption, and higher teenage pregnancy."
Generational Gap
Young people continue to be the strongest proponents of same-sex marriage. The new survey finds 70% of "Millennials" – born since 1980 and age 18-32 today – in favor of same-sex marriage. That is far higher than the support among older generations, such as 49% among Generation X (born 1965-1980), 38% among Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) and 31% among the Silent Generation (born 1928-1945).
"The mood in the nation has changed so dramatically," said Lindsay Campbell. "And younger people are beginning to speak up and say, 'This is such a non-issue for us.'"
Peter Hart, business major, disagreed that same-sex marriage is a "non-issue." Hart worried about the unexpected consequences: "Now, I see more gay people around the mall or out in broad daylight holding hands. I don't know how that would affect our society."
Like Hart, 30% of that age group still believed homosexuality was "unnatural, immoral and wrong." Sam Morgan, aged 23, thought: "it is detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization."
How is the generational gap going to influence legalization of same-sex marriage in decades to come?
"Thankfully the American public, when it has had an opportunity to consider the real world consequences of such a fundamental change to our society, has consistently voted for maintaining one man one woman marriage and sustain this basic building block of our society," says Will Schneider, senior political analyst.
Some say this trend will continue.
"History leaves no doubt that marriage exists to connect children to their mother and father, and young voters will start to see that, too," says Elaine Harley, professor of political science.