Strong Support for Gay Marriage Now Exceeds Strong Opposition

"Overall, 53 percent of Americans say gay marriage should be legal, steady the past year but up from 36 percent in just 2006. Thirty-nine percent "strongly" support it, while 32 percent are strongly opposed – the first time strong sentiment has tilted positive. Six years ago, by contrast, strong views on the issue were negative by a broad 27-point margin.

Further, this poll, produced for ABC by Langer Research Associates, finds that support for gay marriage has reached a new high among African-Americans in ABC/Post polls, up from four in 10 in recent surveys to 59 percent now.

Another result shows increasing exposure: Seventy-one percent of Americans now say they have a friend, family member or acquaintance who’s gay, up from 59 percent in 1998. People who know someone who’s gay are 20 points more likely than others to support gay marriage.

Sharp differences among groups persist. Republicans and conservatives oppose gay marriage by more than 2-1, evangelical white Protestants by more than 3-1. While Democrats support it by more than 2-1, the balance is tipped, as is often the case, by independents: Fifty-eight percent support legalizing gay marriage; 43 percent do so strongly.

Among other groups, support for gay marriage reaches 69 percent among adults under age 30 (with 51 percent "strong" support), compared with just 38 percent of seniors. (Half of seniors are strongly opposed). Support is also 14 points higher among college graduates than among non-graduates, 63 to 49 percent. But it’s the same, 53 percent, among men and women alike. "

More at link: www.langerresearch.com/uploads/1137a2Gay...

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No surpises here.

I expect support for gay marriage to keep growing. 

May 23, 2012 -- 4:16PM, Do_unto_others wrote:

Despite your adamant opposition, mouse?

I neither support nor oppose gay marriage. 

Nor do I particulary care what anybody else thinks about it. 

May 23, 2012 -- 5:11PM, mytmouse57 wrote:

Philosophically/morally I oppose gay marriage

Hmmm ...

First you say, "I neither support nor oppose gay marriage."

Then you say, "Philosophically/morally I oppose gay marriage"

And you wonder why you are not believed.

I think it is still a complicated legislative path forward.  As I understand it, state laws still regulate marriage, all the feds can do is repeal DOMA, and perhaps more strictly enforce interstate recognition of same-sex marriage.

Unless the Supreme Court weighs in strongly on constitutional issues in the Prop 8 reviews.