For the First Time the Gallop Poll Indicates a Majority Supports Gay Marriage

[cumrag27]

A Gallup poll released today found that 53 percent of respondents believed "marriages between same-sex couples" should be legal, "with the same rights as traditional marriages." It's an all-time high--that question has never gotten more than 50 percent support in Gallup poll.

In one sense, this isn't quite news; Politico points out that other surveys have generated similar results in the past few months. In April, a CNN poll found 51 percent support for gay marriage, and in March, a Washington Post/ABC poll also found 53 percent support. Another CNN poll, last August, found 52 percent in favor of gay marriage.

Still, the Gallup poll is further evidence that support for gay marriage is climbing. Last year, Gallup found only 44 percent in favor of gay marriage, meaning there was a nine-point jump in support this year--the largest year-to-year change since Gallup began conducting annual polls about gay marriage in 2004. In April, Nate Silver at The New York Times noted that a similar jump was evident in the greater body of polling data.

Some other takeaways from the Gallup poll: In the past year, 13 percent more Democrats said that gay marriage should be legal, compared with 10 percent more independents. Meanwhile, Republicans had a zero percent change in opinion--according to Gallup, they don't support gay marriage any more now than they did a year ago.

Gallup finds that among people age 18 to 34, 70 percent support gay marriage; among people 55 and older, only 39 percent support it. "More broadly," the poll notes, "support is highest among younger women and lowest among older men." It's also higher "among those who attend church less frequently, among Catholics than among Protestants, and among those who are unmarried."


Stimpy

 

[LoganBroad]

28% of self described conservatives support it. Stop and think, that is progress. Not long ago it would have been 0%.

 

[cumrag27]

One step forward and three steps back...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A bill passed Friday by the Tennessee Senate would forbid public school teachers and students in grades kindergarten through eight from discussing the fact that some people are gay.

Opponents deride the measure as the "don't say gay bill." They say it's unfair to the children of gay parents and could lead to more bullying. Supporters say it is intended to give teachers clear guidance for dealing with younger children on a potentially explosive topic.

The bill isn't likely to be taken up by the House before lawmakers adjourn this spring, but the sponsor there has said he would push it forward in 2012 when the General Assembly comes back for the second year of the session.

Passage would make Tennessee the first state to enact such legislation, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In 2003, Washington defeated a proposal similar to Tennessee's, as did California in 2005 and 2006. A Louisiana law forbids the use of sexually explicit materials depicting homosexuality in sex education classes.

Under the proposal, any instruction or materials at a public elementary or middle school would be limited to age-appropriate lessons about the science of human reproduction.

The legislation was amended from the original version, which said no elementary or middle schools will "provide any instruction or material that discusses sexual orientation other than heterosexuality." Republican Senate sponsor Stacey Campfield of Knoxville said some of his colleagues were uncomfortable with that language.

"There's more than one way to skin a cat," Campfield said after the vote. "I got what I wanted."

He said the language is appropriate because "homosexuals don't naturally reproduce," and he said it's necessary because the state's curriculum is unclear on what can be taught.

However, a critic said the new wording could create other problems.

Sen. Roy Herron, D- Dresden, said it "may inadvertently prevent the teaching of ethics, morality and abstinence."

Stephen Smith, assistant commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education, also said he's unaware of homosexuality being taught anywhere in the state. He said there is nothing in the state's curriculum standards that allows students to be taught about homosexuality.


Doesn't this just warm your heart!


Stimpy

 

[mikeyank]

Stimpy, you are correct that the pulse of the people is changing, even if it seems to be moving at an infinitesimal pace, but is is still progress. Much like my thread on this side of the board, regarding people who earn their living in the "macho straight" world of professional and collegiate sports are nudging the closet door open just a crack.

The country and the world are not where I, and most of us would like it to be yet, but as Ronald Reagan used to say, back when he was a television host and a pitchman for General Electric, years before he became a political person, "PROGRESS IS OUR MOST IMPORTANT PRODUCT".

 

[Smiley]

A Gallup poll released today found that 53 percent of respondents believed "marriages between same-sex couples" should be legal, "with the same rights as traditional marriages."

As a guy who was married to a woman for 4 years, I have to admit I've reluctantly come to the opinion that gay marriage should be legal.

I still think it is arrogance to take our current cultural thinking to try and legislate a change in something that has been one way for thousands of years. We are taking societal opinions that have been voiced over the last few years, and are using them to change a practice that's best measured in centuries and millennium. The word "marriage" has meant something for ages, and we want to change that meaning overnight.

I've come around because of an indisputable fact: Civil unions, as practiced today, are second class solutions, both culturally and legally, and that's wrong.

You can call something a band shell or a gazebo, and we all know it's the same thing. "Car" and "automobile" both describe the same vehicle. I just wish we had another word in the language for "marriage".

 

[rrhill]

The Netherlands were the first country to open the marriage register for gays and lesbians. Ever since March 31, 2001. So it is a normal wedding here. Not a gay wedding. As in a separate wedding register for gays only.

Many happy couples; and these extra weddings are great for business!

 

[Smiley]

band shell

D'oh! That should be band stand.

 

[kaalaaupuni]

thank heavens Smiley, I was starting to feel old... Band shell? thought that was new terminology Now you're making me think of Dick Clark!

 

[Markymark]

thank heavens Smiley, I was starting to feel old... Band shell? thought that was new terminology Now you're making me think of Dick Clark!

Hey now! Wasn't the "Band Shell" the place were local surf bands used to perform in front of the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Ah! I remember it well!
Yes! Hirachi sandals, bushy bushy blonde hairdos, Surfin USA! LOL! And "packin our boards in the old Woody, headin out singing our song"

 

[Markymark]

You can call something a band shell or a gazebo, and we all know it's the same thing. "Car" and "automobile" both describe the same vehicle. I just wish we had another word in the language for "marriage".

We do! It's called suicide by proxy! JK

 

[juanjo]

Hey now! Wasn't the "Band Shell" the place were local surf bands used to perform in front of the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Ah! I remember it well!
Yes! Hirachi sandals, bushy bushy blonde hairdos, Surfin USA! LOL! And "packin our boards in the old Woody, headin out singing our song"

Now you are making me feel old.

 

[Denny Bear]

The Netherlands were the first country to open the marriage register for gays and lesbians. Ever since March 31, 2001. So it is a normal wedding here. Not a gay wedding. As in a separate wedding register for gays only.

Many happy couples; and these extra weddings are great for business!

Thanks Robert, that is very interesting and good to hear. My partner and I got married on March 1 2010 after being together 30 years since we are from Iowa. So far the only negative comments we have heard have been from my brother of all people. LOL