POLLS:
Support for Same Sex Marriage is Strong, Stable & Settled and Majority of Republicans Support Freedom to Marry.
Ahead of the tenth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision guaranteeing marriage equality nationwide, a coalition of leading Republican pollsters conducted a nationwide survey examining American voters’ attitudes toward same-sex marriage.
The survey results show that approximately 70% of American voters support same-sex marriage, while there is little energy or enthusiasm among its few remaining opponents. Moreover, the data suggests that attempts to relitigate marriage equality would face significant political headwinds across the electorate, including among Republicans.
Topline numbers include:
- Broad and consistent support for marriage equality.
- A clear majority of Republicans, 56%, support same sex marriage.
- The ‘New Normal’: Voters increasingly see same-sex marriage as non-controversial.
- Opposition lacking energy: More than twice as many voters report their views have become more supportive over time (31%) than less supportive (13%).
- The Trump Effect: Among Republicans, a message citing President Trump’s stated support for marriage equality was a top performer, with 71% finding it convincing (23% extremely). “President Trump has stated that the question of same-sex marriage has been asked and answered. When asked about marriage for same-sex couples, President Trump said, ‘These cases have gone to the Supreme Court. They’ve been settled. And I’m fine with that.'”
Full Report | Key Research Findings | National Polling Topline
The June 2024 study commissioned on behalf of PRS and Centerline Liberties revealed a historic shift in public opinion on same-sex marriage. An overwhelming majority (66%) of Americans support same-sex marriage, with half of Americans strongly supporting it. This represents a historic turnaround from only twenty years ago when it had only 30% support. This shift includes substantial increases in support among Republican and conservative voters. Indeed, this is the most significant and substantial shift in public opinion of the modern era. This transformation in public attitudes, alongside increased visibility and legal recognition, suggests a profound and enduring shift towards greater acceptance and inclusivity for same-sex couples in the United States.
Alaska – 6 in 10 Alaskans believe same-sex marriage should be valid. 2 in 3 Alaskan voters agree that the current law of the land, legal same-sex marriage, should remain in place. A plurality (44%) of Alaska Republicans believe same sex marriage should be valid with 39% opposed, and 16% who did not know. A majority (52%) of Alaska Republicans believe same-sex marriage should remain in place, while 32% believe it should be repealed, and 16% who didn’t know.
Iowa – Six in 10 Iowa voters believe same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid by the law. And 65% of voters agree that the current law of the land, legal same-sex marriage, should remain in place. 58% of Iowa Republicans said they were more likely to support a Senator who votes for the RMA or report no negative impact on their vote. 84% of Iowa Independents said they were more likely to support a Senator who votes for the RMA or report no negative impact on their vote.
Indiana – Nearly 6 in 10 Indiana voters believe same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid by the law. And 63% of voters agree that the current law of the land, legal same-sex marriage, should remain in place. 63% of Indiana Republicans said they were more likely to support a Senator who voted for the RMA or that it would have no impact on their vote.
Missouri – Six in 10 Missouri voters believe same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid by the law. And 62% of voters agree that the current law of the land, maintaining the legalization of same-sex marriage, should remain in place. Missouri Republicans are evenly divided on the validity of same-sex marriages, with 46% opposed to the validity of these marriages, 44% supportive, and 11% who didn’t know. Nearly half (49%) of Missouri Republicans believe same-sex marriage should remain in place, while 39% believe it should be repealed and 12% did not know.
North Carolina – 52% of North Carolina voters believe that same-sex marriage should be valid, and 56% of voters agree that the laws recognizing same-sex marriage should remain in place. The plurality of North Carolina voters are more likely to support a Senator who votes for the Respect for Marriage Act. Overall, 71% of North Carolinians said they were more likely to support a Senator who votes for the RMA or report no negative impact on their vote. Further, nearly a third of voters are much more likely to likely to support a Senator who votes for the RMA. 54% of North Carolina Republicans said they were more likely to support a Senator who voted for the RMA or that it would have no impact on their vote.
Utah – 6 in 10 Utah voters believe same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid by the law. And 71% of voters agree that the current law of the land, maintaining the legalization of same-sex marriage, should remain in place. A plurality (45%) of Utah Republicans believe that same-sex marriages should be legally valid, while 33% of Republicans believe these marriages should not be legally valid; 22% did not know. Majorities of Independents (68%) and Democrats (87%) believe these marriages should be legally valid. A strong majority (60%) of Utah Republicans believe same-sex marriages should remain in place. Further, 78% of Independents and 88% of Democrats believe these marriages should remain in place.
West Virginia – A majority of West Virginian voters believe same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid by the law. 56% of voters agree that the current law of the land, legal same sex marriage, should remain in place. Overall, 2 in 3 West Virginians said they are more likely to support a Senator who votes for the RMA or report no negative impact on their vote. Just under a fourth of voters are much more likely to support a Senator who votes for the RMA. 55% of West Virginia Republicans said they were more likely to support a Senator who votes for the RMA or report no negative impact on their vote.
Wisconsin – Almost 7 in 10 Wisconsin voters believe same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid by the law. And 71% of voters agree that the current law of the land, legal same-sex marriage, should remain in place. More than half (54%) of Wisconsin Republicans believe that same-sex marriages should be legally valid, and 56% believe these marriages should remain in place. A strong majority of independent voters (66%) believe that same-sex marriages should be legally valid, and 71% believe these marriages should remain in place.
Wyoming – 55% of Wyoming voters believe same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid by the law. And 61% of voters agree that the current law of the land, maintaining the legalization of same-sex marriage, should remain in place. Wyoming Republicans are nearly evenly divided on the validity of same-sex marriage, with 41% supportive, 44% opposed, and 14% who do not know. 50% of Wyoming Republicans believe same sex marriage should remain in place while 37% believe that it should be repealed, and 13% who do not know.
Large Majorities Favor Federal Non-Discrimination Laws for LGBT AmericanS
A new national survey conducted for Project Right Side shows strong bipartisan support for federal legislation to protect LGBT Americans from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. The poll by Just Win Research shows 75% of Americans support LGBT inclusive non-discrimination protections, including 57% support among GOP voters. The survey also shows 80% of registered voters believe it’s already against federal law to discriminate against LGBT Americans. 64% of respondents are more likely to support a candidate who favors non-discrimination laws. The July 2016 survey of more than 1,000 registered voters also shows strong majorities supporting the freedom to marry and the ability of openly LGBT Americans to serve in the US military.
Poll Shows Strong Support for LGBT Freedom and Inclusion
An Emerging Republican Majority for Marriage
The world is changing fast on LGBT issues and so are Republicans. Between 2011 and 2014, Republican support for the freedom to marry grew by 11 points, while oppositions to any legal recognition fell by 7 points. For every one Republican who became more opposed to same-sex marriage between 2009 and 2014, two became more supportive of it. A majority of Republicans under age 50 now support the freedom to marry for LGBT people.
Poll Shows Strong Nationwide Support for LGBT Employment Non-Discrimination Law
A national poll shows large majorities of Americans don’t believe LGBT people should face discrimination in the workplace. The 2013 survey of 2,000 registered voters (conducted by TargetPoint Consulting for Project Right Side) shows 69% support, including 46% among Republicans, for a federal law to protect LGBT people from employment discrimination. Innovative statistical modeling shows majority support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in all 50 states. Additionally, 88% of respondents, including 84% of Republicans, agree that companies should hire and fire based solely on qualifications not quotas – LGBT people should have an equal opportunity as everyone else.
10 Key Data Points on the Freedom to Marry
Polling from the 2012 election shows a GOP electorate at odds with conventional wisdom about LGBT issues. Surveys from TargetPoint Consulting show that a pronounced majority of Republican voters are more favorable than unfavorable to an expansion of a variety of legal rights to gays and lesbians. For 9 out of 12 questions, a majority of Republicans express a pro-gay rights sentiment; for 12 out of 12, there were more pro-gay rights Republicans than there were those that were anti-gay rights. On a composite measure of these items, 65% of Republicans were more favorable than unfavorable to expansions of gay rights, while only a small minority of 29% were net opponents of gay rights. On marriage, 62% of Republicans believe that gay couples should have at least some legal recognition of their relationship.
2012 Election Night Poll Shows Interesting Trends on LGBT Issues
A poll of 2,000 voters in battleground states conducted on election night 2012 shows a changing landscape on issues related to LGBT freedom. 74% of respondents, including 62% of Romney voters, support a law that would provide employment non-discrimination protections for gay and lesbian people. 56% of respondents support the freedom to marry. TargetPoint Consulting surveyed voters for Project Right Side in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, and Virginia. 17% of voters in these states said gay marriage was a very high priority issue. Reinforcing an emerging opinion trend, it is no longer only a top priority among only opponents of gay marriage; rather, among those that said it was a very high priority, half are same sex marriage supporters: 50% support and 48% oppose.
2012 Poll of Battleground Independents Shows Overwhelming Support for LGBT Freedom
A June 2012 poll shows overwhelming support for LGBT rights among independents. TargetPoint Consulting conducted a battleground poll of 2,000 Independent voters across eight states (CO, FL, IA, NC, NH, NV, OH and VA) on behalf of Project Right Side. The poll shows independent voters overwhelmingly in support of LGBT rights. 79% of respondents support relationship recognition for same sex couples, including 56% backing the freedom to marry. On a broad range of issues, more independents were pro-gay rights than against. Independents were given fourteen opportunities to express either a positive or negative opinion on various issues and messages regarding gays and lesbians and in 11 out of 14 instances at least 60% of the independent electorate expressed a pro-gay rights sentiment. In 14 out of 14 instances, more Independents were pro-gay rights than those that were against.
2012 Marriage Memo from Jan van Lohuizen, pollster for President George W. Bush
The pollster for President George W. Bush analyzes public polling on same-sex marriage. Jan van Lohuizen says support for same sex marriage has been growing at an accelerated rate with no sign of slowing down. A review of public polling shows that up to 2009 support for gay marriage increased at a rate of 1% a year. Starting in 2010, the change in the level of support accelerated to 5% a year. According to van Lohuizen, polls show that, “As more people have become aware of friends and family members who are gay, attitudes have begun to shift at an accelerated pace. This is not about a generational shift in attitudes, this is about people changing their thinking as they recognize their friends and family members who are gay or lesbian.”