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5/3/2013

Support for gay marriage rights has increased more than for any other public policy issue in the past decade, according to the Pew Research Center. The number of Americans who support gay marriage rights increased 48% between 2003 and 2013, from 33% of U.S. adults to 49% (calculations by Research Alert). Millennials (ages 18-32) are more likely than older Americans to support laws allowing gays and lesbians to marry, and their support has grown 37% since 2003. The largest change in attitudes occurred among members of the silent generation (born before 1942); the proportion who support gay marriage rights grew 82% between 2003 and 2013.

Women are more likely than men to support gay marriage rights: 51% of women are in favor vs. 46% of men, up from 38% and 32%, respectively, in 2003.

More than one in four supporters of gay marriage (28%) say their views have changed, while nearly all of opponents say they’ve always felt this way. Among those who used to be against gay marriage rights but have changed their minds, the top reason for the change of heart is personally knowing someone who is gay or lesbian.

The majority of Americans (64%) believe gay and lesbian couples can be just as good parents as heterosexual couples, up from 54% who said so in 2003. Women (71%) are much more likely than men (57%) to believe gay and lesbian couples can be just as good parents as heterosexual couples.

Two-thirds of adults (66%) say same-sex couples should have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples (such as health insurance and power of attorney). Even among those opposed to marriage rights for homosexual couples, 33% believe these couples should have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples.

More than half of Americans (57%) believe homosexuality should be accepted in general by society, up from 47% who said so in 2003. At the same time, however, 56% view homosexuality as being in conflict with their religious beliefs. More than a quarter of Americans (28%) say homosexuality conflicts with their religious beliefs but also believe same-sex couples are entitled to the same legal rights as heterosexual couples.

Source: “Growing Support for Gay Marriage: Changed Minds and Changing Demographics,” March 2013, Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, Jocelyn Kiley, Senior Researcher, 1615 L St., NW, #700, Washington, DC 20036; 202-419-4372; info@people-press.org; www.people-press.org.

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