Survey: Americans turn sharply favorable on gay issues

[hrmjustin]

Cathy Lynn Grossman

WASHINGTON (RNS) Americans’ attitudes toward the lives and choices of gays and lesbians have changed radically since Massachusetts first legalized same–sex marriage a decade ago.

A new survey finds a significant shift toward tolerance across every religious, political and age group and every region of the country, said Robert P. Jones, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute. PRRI’s survey, released Wednesday (Feb. 26), reveals the ramifications of these changes in family, church and community life.

“Only the issue of marijuana looks anything like this in terms of rapid movement in favorability,” Jones said. “But with that one exception, it’s unusual to see this much change in a relatively short amount of time.”

Overall support for same-sex marriage jumped 21 percentage points, from 32 percent in 2003 in a Pew Research survey to 53 percent in 2013 in PRRI’s survey. During this period, gay marriage became legal in 17 states and the District of Columbia and the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, that blocked federal recognition of legally wed gay couples.

http://www.religionnews.com/2014/02/26/gay-marriage-lgbt-prri-pew-religion/

[longship]

1. It is really quite a turn around in public opinion.

I wonder whether this has anything to do with gay characters in culture, especially TV. Or, people coming out.

Interesting.
R&K

[cbayer]

3. I think much credit is due to the public figures who came out early

and without apology.

They were brave and often paid a price, but they kicked the door down.

[longship]

4. That's a credible explanation.

I wonder what non-believers can learn about this.

Non-believers? Come out, come out, wherever you are.

[cbayer]

2. I really think the tide has irrevocably turned on this issue.

It hasn't been easy and it should have been faster, but I think we are there.

And when the AZ legislature do things like they did last week, they only reinforce the gains that have been made, imo.

They look increasingly more marginalized and out of step.