Those of you who like to note turning-point (or tipping-point) milestones might consider that history could look back on this year as a major one. Several major polls this year have recorded for the first time that a majority of Americans now favor legalizing gay marriage. Now add Gallup:
In the poll, conducted earlier this month, Gallup found 53 percent of Americans saying that marriages between same-sex couples should be considered valid and come with the same rights as heterosexual marriages, while 45 percent said same-sex marriages should not.
A year ago, in the last Gallup survey on the issue, the numbers were reversed: 53 percent of Americans opposed same-sex marriage, while 44 percent supported it.
It's not exactly going out on a limb to predict that gay marriage is going to be an accepted part of the social and legal landscape before too long. For one thing, when attitudes start changing about social issues and the law begins evolving, change tends to be in one direction; we don't often see a reversal. For another, the most striking thing about the poll is the dramatic difference age makes in attitude. Support for gay marriae ranges from 39 percent of those 55 and older to 70 percent of those 18 to 34.
The hope on major changes like this is that they will evolve slowly as acceptance grows, a legislative process insteand of the abrupt changes in direction ordered by courts. Looks like the chance of that is about 53 percent, too.
Comments
I think that's the true reason for trying to lock a marriage inequality provision into the Constitution. With attitudes shifting, an ordinary law won't represent the will of the majority for long. Carving it into the Constitution will impose a barrier for a much longer period of time.
@Doug. You're absolutely right. A group of Republican bigots doesn't just want to outlaw gay marriage - which is already illegal. They want to make it extremely difficult to undo their own mischief when, a couple of years from now, no young person will believe that gay marriage was once illegal.
As usual, the GOP is on the wrong side of another social issue. It is glaringly obvious that same-sex marriage will be the norm very soon, and marijuana will be legal - at least under some circumstances. Some trends are just to easy to spot. But the Rethugs want to dig in their heels anyway. They must feel so proud.
Those "re-thugs" you speak of are in good company with one Barack Hussein Obama in opposing Gay Marriage, unless he lied about that too of course.
Tim, when you're right, you're right. I'm absolutely convinced that Obama has been reluctant to defend gay rights for purely political reasons. He fears offending the center. I cannot imagine that gay marriage actually bothers him.
Also, although right-wing claims that he's a "secret Muslim" are patent nonsense, I strongly suspect he is exagerating his Christian views as well, again, for political reasons.
Both his parents were,despite their nominal labels, atheists. Atheism correlates strongly with IQ, education and strong analytical skills. Even people who dislike Obama general concede he is well-education and smart.
My guess is that he holds no strong religious beliefs, and his habit of ended every speech with "God bless the United States of America" is simple pandering.
But every president does it.
Reagan almost never went to church. Even George Washington went to church occasionally when his pious wife dragged him. Even then he refused communion.
A leader's religious views, so long as they don't affect policy, should not be an issue, but of course they often are.
I'm sure you've seen the polls indicating a lot of Southern Baptists who can't vote for Romney because they doubt that a Mormon is a Christian (I take no position in that argument, because I don't care).
BTW, sorry for saying "Rethugs." Seriously, I object when righties say "Democrat Party" on grounds it's childish. I did the same thing myself. Mea culpa. Or as my cats say, "Meow culpa."
Littlejohn, while you're pontificating so eloquently how about explaining to everyone why the African-American community is so averse to gay marriage. Is that a religious thing as well?