Constitutional Law, Courts, Politics, Religion, Society

Poll: Over Sixty Percent Of Americans Support Gay Marriage

Wedding_cake_with_pillar_supports,_2009There is good news for those of us who support same-sex marriage (as well as an indication in the remarkable turnaround in public attitude in a relatively short time). According to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, 6 out of 10 Americans now support same-sex marriage and believe that states should not be allowed to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. That is a record showing for same-sex marriage.

The poll was clearly timed for oral arguments next week on whether state restrictions on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. I believe that there is likely a fifth vote with Justice Anthony Kennedy to support a ruling in favor of same-sex marriage. Indeed, it will be interesting to watch Chief Justice John Roberts on this issue. Roberts has shown a strong institutional sensitivity and many be the most likely of the remaining justices to feel the pull of history on the issue.

Not surprisingly, the greatest gains have been seen in those under age 30 where support has grown since 2005 from 57 percent to 78 percent. However, even among the historically least supportive group (those 65 and over) support is now at 46 percent (from just 18 percent).

Republicans still oppose at a rate of 6 to 10, however. This creates an interesting dynamic for the Republican primary where some candidates have already shown movement toward greater acceptance. The trend appears in that direction. Moreover, GOP candidates face the classic dilemma of fighting to secure the nomination from the most conservative members of the party while being able to run nationally to appeal to independents and democrats. The social agenda of conservative Republicans has never appealed to as much to independents and libertarians in the general election.

Source: Washington Post

325 thoughts on “Poll: Over Sixty Percent Of Americans Support Gay Marriage”

  2. “Atheists are not trying to stamp out religion. Gays are not trying to stamp out religion or heterosexuals.”

    You need to get out more, Isaac.

  3. And Pogo, YOU are the one who used my REAL name on this blog when I still used my pseudonym of Annie. Do not speak of doxxing to me.

  4. Pogo
    When Nick calls you an MD as a mark of knowledge and wisdom, you do not correct him, why not?

  5. Just as I expected.

    You failed a little experiment just now, a test of your supposed Chrisitianity and your call to love people ‘where they are’.

    See, despite all your Jesus quotes, the first occasion when asked to show mercy, you showed none. To me.

    You failed that simple exercise, and it tells me you are using the Bible as propaganda, not because you believe any of it.
    If you do believe it, you’re doing it wrong.

  6. bam bam
    you wanted to know my stance re this topic? I have been a strong and vocal supporter of marriage equality.
    Are you?

  7. Pogo

    I am aware of one thing. Atheists are not trying to stamp out religion. Gays are not trying to stamp out religion or heterosexuals. It is the religious that seem to say, by their very existence that they are at the least a cut above all others, at worst, well it’s the chopping block. Whether in the middle with Christianity or today with Islam, only the religious go there. The secular societies seem to want to be left to common sense and the evolution of humanity. Religions have always been and still are the tools for obtaining power. What can be more powerful than a club where if you join you: are better than everyone else, get to go to heaven when you die, and get to intimately enjoy some really groovy music, architecture, and art. OK, you got me on the last one.

  8. Excuse me Pogo? Are you serious? LOL, Pogo. You being an MD has come up in conversation MANY times on various threads since the time you began commenting here. You did NOT object to it being mentioned until TODAY. To pretend otherwise is very odd. Spinelli was the first to bring it up and you confirmed it. Pogo, maybe you need a break from commenting. You seem overwrought.

  9. Pogo
    And you’re being threatening on this blog with you anti gay rhetoric.

  10. @Scoffers

    Funny, how people who don’t think being a transgender is a mental disorder, because “they were born that way” or whatever, don’t have a problem categorizing schizophrenics as being mentally ill, or having a mental illness. Even though, they were also “born that way.” And, share some of the same sypmtoms

    Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling mental disorder characterized by deficits in thought processes, perceptions, and emotional responsiveness. People with the disorder may hear voices other people don’t hear, or see things that others don’t see. They may believe other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. They may sit for hours without moving or talking. These symptoms make holding a job, forming relationships, and other day-to-day functions especially difficult for people with schizophrenia.

    Schizophrenia interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. Specific abnormalities that can be noted in individuals with schizophrenia include:

    delusions and hallucinations;
    alterations of the senses;
    an inability to sort and interpret incoming sensations, and an inability therefore to respond appropriately;
    an altered sense of self; and
    changes in emotions, movements and behavior.

    Schizophrenia is a neurological brain disorder that affects 2.2 million Americans today, or approximately one percent of the population. Schizophrenia can affect anyone at any age, but most cases develop between ages 16 and 30

    http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/medical/schizophrenia.html

    Squeeky Fromm
    Girl Reporter

  13. “pedophilia is a CRIME. Why is it that you conflate CRIMINAL ACTS with that of consensual acts between two adults?”

    You clearly didn’t read the Greenfield quote I posted earlier.
    The debate is about definitions.
    The definition of marriage, for example.
    All the left need do is redefine words so they lose their original meaning.

    So marriage can include gay marriage.
    Gay behavior used to be a crime.
    That was redefined. Not a crime.
    Marriage used to be between the sexes. Now redefined.
    Soon it will include polygamy, and more, until the term is meaningless. Which is the intent.

    Other words can be similarly redefined.
    Pedophile.
    Consent.
    Age of consent.
    Illegal.

    It’s inevitable.

  14. Ohhhhh, no we are not Pogo. YOU yourself have stated you are an MD on various threads. I believe your buddy Spinelli let the cat out of the bag and you CONFIRMED IT. No doxxing here.

  15. It’s as if “Christians” think their God can’t judge their brother well enough on His own…

  16. So many “Christians” prefer to deny to those who seek entry into the Kingdom…
    … Because, Leviticus? Paul to the Romans?

    As IF their Christ and his teachings don’t matter?

  17. Let me guess what’s happening here:
    Since topic is about gays, so very likely Pogo is shooting fire and squeek is raining brimstone…all in the name of a God that can’t stand them!
    And now that I am here, i wonder if the topic will turn to that which we cannot name!

  19. Quote Jesus…

    Matt 7: 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

    2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

    3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

    4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

    5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

    6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

    7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

    8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

    Of course it appears that some here will claim to follow Jesus, just not this passage. Cherry picking Christians.

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