Majority thinks same-sex marriage a “private decision”?
USA Today just published results of a poll showing widespread opposition to government regulation of same-sex marriages. 63% of respondents in this poll called same-sex marriage a “private decision”, and only 33% think the government should be able to pass laws against same-sex marriage. This majority holds in all age groups except 65+ (and even then, the 3% margin of error brings it to an even split); it holds in every region; it holds in every income level.
Unsurprisingly, a majority of Republicans, self-identified conservatives, and regular churchgoers still think the government has a right to pass laws prohibiting same-sex marriage. What’s surprising to me, though, is that this majority is not what it once was: 56% each among Republicans and those who attend weekly church services, and only 54% among conservatives.
What is even more surprising: 4% think the government should be able to pass laws prohibiting interracial marriages, and 2% think the government should be able to prevent interreligious marriages. Seriously? Interreligious marriages are one of the reasons (heterosexual) couples can get hitched at the courthouse: your church may say no, but as long as you meet the other criteria the government doesn’t care if you’re Catholic and your beloved is Protestant.
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Marriage is a basic civil right that should be attainable by all Americans if they choose. For those who are uncomfortable with gay marriage check out our short produced to educate & defuse the controversy. It has a way of opening closed minds & provides some sanity on the issue: http://www.OUTTAKEonline.com