In a 2001 national poll, Americans opposed same-sex marriage by a 57% to 35% margin.
Since then, support for same-sex marriage has steadily grown. Percentages of the U.S. population in opposition to and those in favor of same-sex marriage were 57% and 35% in year 2001, 58% and 33% in 2003, 60% and 31% in 2004, 53% and 36% in 2005, 55% and 33% in 2006, 54% and 37% in 2007, 51% and 39% in 2008, 54% and 37% in 2009, 48% and 42% in 2010, 45% and 48% in 2011, 43% and 48% in 2012, and 43% and 50% in 2013. Today, a majority of Americans (54%) support same-sex marriage, compared with 39% who oppose it.
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."
"This is a wonderful thing. Quite simply, this case is about liberty and equality, the two cornerstones of the rights protected by the United States Constitution," said George Joughin, press secretary for a civil rights organization. "There really is not another issue out there that has gained so much support so fast."
The gains in marriage equality have been a victory for not just gay couples, but for their families. Ever since Brian West and Paul Russell of Portland, Oregon, started fostering an 8-year-old named Jay in 2012, the little boy who had been passed from foster home to foster home had one question: "When am I going to have a forever family?" It wasn't until Monday, when the couple got married upon Oregon's ruling overturning the ban on same-sex marriage, that they felt they could truly be a family.
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, however, argues traditional scruples cannot justify discrimination. Swanson refers to a historic book he recently read, called Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality, which won the National Book Award in 1981, saying: "That book changed my life," because it convinced him that "discrimination against homosexuals was not part of the natural order." It was the arbitrary invention of a particular time and place — the factious and violent medieval church. Swanson decided to make a study of marriage laws with an eye to challenging such discrimination in court.
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 generational differences were visible ten years ago. In 2003, 51% of Millennials were in favor, compared to 40% of Generation X, 33% of Baby Boomers, and 17% of the Silent Generation.
The past decade has witnessed an increase in the percentages of people favoring same-sex marriage in all age groups: The percentage of Silent Generation in favor of same-sex marriage has increased from 18% in 2004, to 23% in 2005, 29% in 2010, 32% in 2011, 33% in 2012, till 35% this past year; for Baby Boomers, the percentage has increased from 30% in 2004, to 36% in 2005, 38% in 2011, 40% in 2012, till 41% last year; for Generation X, the percentages were 40% in 2004, 44% in 2005, 48% in 2010, 51% in 2012, and 52% in 2013. Millennials, however, have always been the most favorable of same-sex marriage—the percentage of the Millennials who were in favor of same-sex marriage has increased from 44% in 2004, to 49% in 2005, 54% in 2008, 61% in 2011, 64% in 2012, and 66% in 2013.
"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, added, "It is good that people can have the opportunity to embrace their own identity fully. People should live boldly and loudly and show what it means to stand up for something."
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.
However, that is only what is happening now.
"Young voters strongly favor marriage equality. And they are the future of American politics," says Elaine Harley, professor of political science.