Public opinion of same-sex marriage in the United States
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Public opinion on same-sex marriage in the United States has been tracked by polling data for well over a decade. As of the year 2010, polls provide differing answers to the question of how the majority of Americans view same-sex marriage, although it is clear that support for same-sex marriage has increased over the past decade.
When the Defense of Marriage Act was passed in 1996, only 25% of the American public supported same-sex marriage. Since that time, public opinion has gradually moved in the direction of greater support for same-sex marriage. An August 2010 CNN poll was the first national poll to show majority support for same-sex marriage.[1] In 2011, Gallup,[2] ABC News/Washington Post,[3][4] and CNN/Opinion Research[5] polling data showed that a majority of Americans approve of same-sex marriage.
Opposition to same-sex marriage is correlated with religious attendance, older age, Republican Party affiliation, and residence in the South and Midwest.[6][7] Support for same-sex marriage correlates with lack of religious affiliation, young age,[8] Democratic Party affiliation, and residence in the Northeast and on the West Coast.[7] Women are also more likely to be in support than men.[2]
In some states, particularly in the Northeast, the West Coast, and the Midwest, polls have shown majority support for same-sex marriage.[citation needed]
As of October 2011, same-sex marriage was legal in six states and the District of Columbia, while voters in "31 states have now rejected same-sex marriage by referendum".[9] As of January 2010, 29 states had state "constitutional amendments restricting marriage to one man and one woman", while 12 others had laws "restricting marriage to one man and one woman."[10]
Polls showed that African Americans were the most likely ethnic group to oppose same-sex marriage.[11][12][13]
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[edit] Polls
[edit] Polls in 2011
Public support for same-sex marriage continued to edge upward in 2011. A national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted 2/22/11 – 3/1/11 among 1,504 adults, finds about as many adults now favor (45%) as oppose (46%) allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally. In a Pew Research survey conducted in 2009, just 37% backed same-sex marriage while 54% were opposed. Opposition to same-sex marriage has declined by 19 percentage points since 1996, when 65% opposed same-sex marriage and only 27% were in favor. As has been the case since 1996, there is a wide partisan division on the question of same-sex marriage. Currently 57% of Democrats favor making it legal, while only 23% of Republicans agree. Independents (at 51% in favor) are more similar to Democrats than to Republicans, in part because 46% of Republican-leaning independents are supportive of same-sex marriage, along with 58% of independents who lean Democratic.[14]
A March 2011 telephone-survey of 1005 adults by ABC News and the Washington Post found that, for the first time, the majority of Americans favor same-sex marriage. 53 percent of those polled supported same-sex marriage while 44 percent remained opposed; support was highest among younger Americans and lower among conservatives, Republicans, and evangelicals. Pollster Gary Langster describes this as a "milestone result that caps a dramatic, long-term shift in public attitudes". From a low of 32 percent in a 2004 survey of registered voters, support for same-sex marriage has grown to 53 percent today. Forty-four percent are opposed, down 18 points from that 2004 survey.[3][15]
In March 2011, Democracy Corps conducted a survey of 1,000 likely 2012 election voters in 50 congressional districts considered political battlegrounds. It asked respondents to rate their feelings on the same-sex marriage issue on a 0-100 scale, with 100 being "very warm" or favorable feelings, and 0 being "very cold" or unfavorable feelings. 42% were on the "cool" or unfavorable side, and 35% were on the "warm" or favorable side.[16]
A CNN/Opinion Research Poll released in April 2011 indicated that more than half of all Americans believe that marriages between gay or lesbian couples should be legally valid. With 51 percent of respondents saying that same-sex marriages should be legal, it is the first time that a CNN poll has found majority support for same-sex marriage. The poll shows that there remains a strong partisan divide on this issue. Same-sex marriage is supported by 64% of Democrats, 55% of independents, and only 27% of Republicans.[17]
A May 2011 Gallup poll indicated that a majority of Americans now supports recognition of same-sex marriage. Support for legal recognition of same-sex marriage outpolled opposition 53% to 45%. Gallup also measured a larger than normal increase as compared to the previous year. Support jumped from 44% to 53% in the last year alone. This 9-point increase in one year is the highest increase in a single year, indicating that support increased faster in 2011 than any previous year in Gallup history.[2]
[edit] Polls in 2010
A February 2010 ABC News/Washington Post poll found support for allowing same sex couples to marry at 47% (compared to 39% in 2005) and opposition at 50% (compared to 58% in 2005), while those with no opinion on the matter was at 3% (the same as in 2005).[18]
A May 2010 Gallup Poll found opponents of legalizing same-sex marriage outnumbered supporters in the United States, by 53% to 44% (59% to 37% in 2005). Opposition was tied for the lowest Gallup has measured.[19]
According to a CNN/Opinion Research Poll released on August 12, 2010, American support for same-sex marriage increased over the previous year. This poll showed that 49% of 513 respondents thought gays and lesbians do have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid, an increase from 45% in 2009. 51% disagreed, a decrease from 54% in 2009. In another sample of 496 respondents, the same poll showed that 52% thought gays and lesbians should have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid, and 46% said they should not. The poll has a sampling error of ±4.5%.[20]
An August, 2010 Associated Press/National Constitution Center poll found growing support for allowing same-sex marriage in the United States. In this poll of 1,007 respondents, 52% agreed that the federal government should give legal recognition to marriages between couples of the same sex, an increase from 46% in 2009. 46% disagreed, compared to 53% in 2009.[21]
An August 2010 poll released by Public Policy Polling indicated that 57% of 606 American voters think same-sex marriage should be illegal, while 33% think it should be legal. The survey’s margin of error is ±4.0%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.[22][23][24]
A Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll of 900 registered voters found 37% supporting legal marriage and 29% supporting legal partnerships, while 28% said there should be no legal recognition. The poll has a margin of error of ±3%.[25]
A national exit poll of 17,504 voters conducted by CNN during the 2010 midterm elections in November 2010 found 53% oppose legal recognition of gay marriage with 41% in support.[26]
[edit] Polls in 2009
An April 30, 2009 ABC News/Washington Post poll found support for allowing same sex couples to marry in the United States ahead of opposition to it for the first time, with support at 49% and opposition at 46% while those with no opinion on the matter was at 5%. In addition, 53% believe that gay marriages performed in other states should be legal in their states. Among Democrats, 62% are in favor of gay marriage while 74% of Republicans are opposed with 52% of Independents in favor of gay marriage.[27]
A national poll on same-sex marriage in the United States was conducted during April 22–26, 2009 by CBS/New York Times and found that 42% support marriage for same sex couples, 25% support full civil unions, and 28% oppose any legal recognition of same sex couples.[28] 5% of respondents were unsure.
A USA Today/Gallup Poll conducted on May 7–10, 2009, however, finds support for allowing same sex couples to marry in the United States at only 40%, lower than it was in 2003, with 57% opposed to same-sex marriage.[29] According to this poll, 48% of Americans feel that society would change for the worse if same sex marriage were legalized, the same percentage as a 2003 poll.[30] The poll asked: "Which comes closest to your view? Gay couples should be allowed to legally marry. OR, Gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry. OR, There should be no legal recognition of a gay couple's relationship."
| Legal Marriage | Civil Unions | No Legal Recognition | Unsure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Respondents | 42% | 25% | 28% | 5% |
| Republicans | 18% | 31% | 49% | 2% |
| Democrats | 52% | 22% | 21% | 5% |
| Independents | 43% | 26% | 25% | 6% |
A CBS News poll conducted from March 12–26, 2009[31] asked: "Which comes closest to your view? Gay couples should be allowed to legally marry. OR, Gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry. OR, There should be no legal recognition of a gay couple's relationship."
| Legal marriage | Civil union | No recognition | Unsure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All political parties | 33% | 27% | 35% | 5% |
| Republicans | 6% | 34% | 59% | 1% |
| Democrats | 46% | 23% | 26% | 5% |
| Independents | 37% | 26% | 30% | 7% |
Nate Silver noted that the discrepancy in support for same-sex marriage appears to result from 5-10% of respondents who favor civil unions over same-sex marriage, but given only two choices, will support same-sex marriage.[32]
A LifeWay Research poll conducted in August 2009 found that 61% of Americans born between 1980 and 1991 see nothing wrong with two people of the same gender getting married while 39% disagree. The survey was conducted on a demographically representative survey of 1,200 U.S. adults between 18 and 29 years old.[33]
[edit] Polls in 2006-2008
In a poll conducted on July 17, 2008, by Quinnipiac University, with 55 percent opposed, and 36 percent in favor.[34] An ABC News poll found that the majority (58%) of Americans remained opposed to same-sex marriages, while the minority (36%) support them. However, on the question of a constitutional amendment, more are now opposed than for it. The majority (51%) of Americans say the issue should be left for the states to decide, while 43% would agree with amending the Constitution.[35]
When asked about the legal status, a July 2008 poll by Quinnipiac University revealed that 32% of respondents would allow homosexual partners to legally marry, 33% would permit them to form civil unions, and 29% would grant them no legal recognition.[34][36] A December 2008 poll revealed that 32% of respondents support the concept of civil unions, 31% would offer full marriage rights to same-sex couples, and 30% oppose any legal recognition for gay and lesbian partnerships.[37]
Prior to this poll, Gallup conducted a poll on the issue through May 2006. The poll found opposition to same-sex marriage had fallen slightly, as other polls found a sharper dip. In the poll, when asked if marriages between homosexuals should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages, 58% (down 1 point from Aug 2005, and 9 points from March 1996) of Americans responded that they should not be recognized. 39% (up 2 points from Aug 2005, and 12 points from 1996) felt same-sex marriages should be recognized by law. If "homosexuals" is replaced with "same-sex couples", 42% back same-sex marriage while 56% oppose it.[citation needed]
A similar poll conducted in March 2006, a Princeton Survey Research Associates / Pew Research Center poll concluded 39% of Americans support same-sex marriage, while 51% oppose it, and 10% were undecided. In December 2004, a poll by the same company found 61% of Americans opposed - with 38% "strongly opposed". Now, less than 2 years later, just 23% are "strongly opposed". However, an identical poll taken by the same group in June 2006 found a rise in those opposed to same-sex marriage, with 56% disapproving of the practice.
The most recent poll prior to this also showed opposition to gay marriages had fallen. An Opinion Dynamics / Fox News poll released April 6 of 2006. According to this poll, 55% of Americans oppose same-sex marriage, 33% support it, and 11% are unsure of where they stand.
[edit] Older polls
Gallup Poll (known as the "CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll" before 2006) of adults nationwide.
"Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?" (Wording pre-2006: "Do you think marriages between homosexuals should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?") N=492, MoE ± 5 (Form A)
In the following table, "Y" means "Should Be Valid"; "N" means "Should Not Be Valid"; and "U" means "Unsure".
| Poll Date | Y | N | U |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5-5/8/2011 | 53 | 45 | 3 |
| 5/2-5/6/2010 | 44 | 53 | 3 |
| 5/7-5/10-2009 | 40 | 57 | 3 |
| 5/8-5/11/2008 | 40 | 56 | 4 |
| 5/10-5/13/2007 | 46 | 53 | 1 |
| 5/8-5/11/2006 | 42 | 56 | 2 |
| 4/29-5/1/2005 | 39 | 56 | 5 |
| 3/18-3/20/2005 | 28 | 68 | 4 |
| 7/19-7/21/2004 | 32 | 62 | 6 |
| 3/5-3/7/2004 | 33 | 61 | 6 |
| 2/16-2/17/2004 | 32 | 64 | 4 |
| 2/6-2/8/2004 | 36 | 59 | 5 |
| 12/2003 | 31 | 65 | 4 |
| 10/2003 | 35 | 61 | 4 |
| 6/2003 | 39 | 55 | 6 |
| 1/2000 | 34 | 62 | 4 |
| 2/1999 | 35 | 62 | 3 |
| 3/1996 | 27 | 68 | 5 |
A poll taken June 22, 2006 by Rasmussen Reports asked "Should marriage be defined in terms of a union between a man and a woman? Or should marriage be defined as a union between any two people including same sex couples?" 68% replied that "marriage is between man and woman", 29% said marriage "between any two people" and 4% were "not sure".[38]
CBS News poll historical results[31] asking:
- "Which comes closest to your view? Gay couples should be allowed to legally marry. OR, Gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry. OR, There should be no legal recognition of a gay couple's relationship."
| Legal marriage | Civil union | No recognition | Unsure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 20 - 24, 2010 | 40% | 30% | 25% | 5% |
| April 5 - 12, 2010 | 39% | 24% | 30% | 7% |
| June 12 - 16, 2009 | 33% | 30% | 32% | 5% |
| April 22 - 26, 2009 | 42% | 25% | 28% | 5% |
| March 12 - 26, 2009 | 33% | 27% | 35% | 5% |
| May 30 - June 3, 2008 | 30% | 28% | 36% | 6% |
| March 7–11, 2007 | 28% | 32% | 35% | 5% |
| October 27–31, 2006 | 28% | 29% | 38% | 5% |
| February 24–28, 2005 | 23% | 34% | 41% | 2% |
| November 18–21, 2004 | 21% | 32% | 44% | 3% |
| July 11–15, 2004 | 28% | 31% | 38% | 3% |
| May 20–23, 2004 | 28% | 29% | 40% | 3% |
| March 10–14, 2004 | 22% | 33% | 40% | 5% |
- The same CBS News Poll highlighting regional, political party affiliations and age differences in views. March 12-16, 2009. Nationwide:
| Demographic | Marriage | Civil union | No recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 33% | 27% | 25% |
| Republicans | 6% | 34% | 59% |
| Democrats | 46% | 23% | 26% |
| Independents | 37% | 26% | 30% |
| 18–45 years | 41% | 23% | 32% |
| 45-64 | 29% | 32% | 35% |
| 65 and older | 26% | 29% | 41% |
| 65 & older | 18% | 27% | 47% |
| Men | 27% | 28% | 42% |
| Women | 38% | 26% | 30% |
[edit] Pew Research
The Pew Research Center/Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey poll[31] asking:
- "Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally?" (Margin of error three percent)
| Date | Favor | Oppose | Unsure |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 22–March 14, 2011[39] | 45% | 46% | 9% |
| July 21–August 5, 2010[39] | 42% | 48% | 10% |
| July 9, 2009[39] | 37% | 54% | 9% |
| May 21–25, 2008[39] | 38% | 49% | 13% |
| August, 2007 | 36% | 55% | 9% |
| March 8–12, 2006[40] | 39% | 51% | 10% |
| July 13–17, 2005 | 36% | 53% | 11% |
| December 1–16, 2004 | 32% | 61% | 7% |
| August 5–10, 2004 | 29% | 60% | 11% |
| July 2004 | 32% | 56% | 12% |
| March 2004 | 32% | 59% | 9% |
| February 2004 | 30% | 63% | 7% |
| November 2003 | 30% | 62% | 8% |
| October 2004 | 30% | 58% | 12% |
- "Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into legal agreements with each other that would give them many of the same rights as married couples? (Margin of error three percent)
| Date | Favor | Oppose | Unsure |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 13–17, 2005 | 53% | 40% | 7% |
| August 5–10, 2004 | 48% | 45% | 7% |
| July 2004 | 49% | 43% | 8% |
| March 2004 | 49% | 44% | 7% |
| October 2003 | 45% | 47% | 8% |
A further Pew study in March 2006 found that 51% oppose gay marriage, with 39% supporting it, and the level of "strongly opposing" gay marriage has fallen from 42% to 28%.[40] Pew's May 2008 Survey found that for the first time, a majority of people do not oppose gay marriage at 49%. 20% oppose and 29% Strongly oppose gay marriage, up 1% from the March 2006 Pew Research Results.[39]
[edit] "Bradley Effect"
Commentators have noted instances where polling data has overstated voter opposition to referenda banning same-sex marriage;[41][42] some have suggested that there may be a variation of the "Bradley Effect" in which individuals opposed to same-sex marriage are reluctant to express their true views to pollsters.[41][42][43]
[edit] Generational differences
It has been noted that the biggest factor in the growth of support for same sex marriage and civil unions has been driven by younger Americans, including some young conservatives, who are far more favorably inclined to both civil unions and same sex marriage than seniors.[citation needed] In one meta-analysis by Jeffrey Lax and Justin Phillips of Columbia University, a majority of 18-29 year old Americans in 38 states support same sex marriage while in only 6 states do less than 45% of 18-29 year olds support gay marriage. At the same time not a single state shows support for gay marriage greater than 35% amongst those 64 and older. The result is that even in the state with the greatest overall support for gay marriage, those 64 and older will be less supportive of gay marriage than 18-29 year olds in the state least receptive to gay marriage.[44] This suggests that, over time, same sex marriage will continue to gain support simply due to the increasing number of more supportive youth and the decrease of less supportive, seniors. Lax and Phillips also suggest a "tipping point" effect at which point support for gay marriage begins to grow increasingly quickly once a certain level of support is reached by the population. This would explain why support for gay rights has increased more quickly among all age groups in states that were initially the most supportive of gay rights than in states with low initial levels of support.[44]
Pew polling shows that older generations show less support for same-sex marriage than newer ones. Over the years 2001 through 2011, those born between 1928 and 1945 increased their support from 21% to 32%; those born between 1946 and 1964 increased their support from 32 to 37 percent; and those born between 1965 and 1980 decreased support from 49% to 46%. The generation born in 1981 and later was first tracked in 2003, when they voiced 51% support; by 2011, that figure had risen to 64%.[45]
[edit] Regional differences
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Recent polls have consistently shown that the nation can be divided into roughly equal thirds: one third supports gay marriage completely, another supports only civil unions, and the last is against any form of union entirely.[46][47] Recently it has become common for polls to report that the majority of respondents support gay marriage in many Northeastern states, while some but not all polling have reported majority support in some Pacific Coast states.
States in which polls showed majority support for gay marriage in recent years include Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York,[48] New Jersey,[49] New Hampshire, and the District of Columbia, and some polls have shown majority support in Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington.[citation needed]
While the population of the New England states are generally accepting of same sex marriages, polls show that the population of one of the two non-New England states to recognize same sex marriage, Iowa, does not have a majority in favor of same sex marriage. A poll from Iowa conducted for the Des Moines Register indicates that Iowans are evenly divided over a state constitutional amendment that would overturn the Iowa court decision, with a plurality disagreeing with the decision and a vast majority (92%) stating that the decision hasn't impacted their lives.[50] Polling prior to the state supreme court decision legalizing same sex marriage place support in the high thirties or low forties.[51] This is still slightly higher than the national average. A breakdown of voter opinion by age brackets in Iowa, as elsewhere, shows younger Iowans overwhelmingly supporting same sex unions; 60% of those in the 18-30 age bracket supported gay marriage in an April 2009 poll.[52][53]
Support for same sex unions does not guarantee state Supreme Court decisions or legislative action. New York voters have registered consistent support for same sex unions in polling dating back to 2005. However, New York state government did not grant marriage licenses to same sex couples until July 2011. Similarly, there is robust support in most states for either same sex marriage or civil unions, but due to past initiatives, legislation, and/or constitutional amendments, these states currently ban same sex unions. 30 states currently have constitutional amendments against same sex marriage. Some of those amendments, such as those in Virginia, Ohio, and Wisconsin ban both marriages and civil unions.[54] However, several states are now considering reversing bans that have recently been enacted.[55] Even some conservative politicians, such as Jon Huntsman, former governor of Utah, have begun to come out in favor of some form of same sex union.[56]
Public opinion on same sex marriage and unions in the United States thus reveals a great deal of change in a short period of time and significant regional disparity. While New England, the Pacific Coast and northern Middle Atlantic states may support full-fledged marriage, comparisons of polling from a decade past to today reveals significant growth in support for same sex marriages and civil unions in those regions. Meanwhile polling from other regions show that while support for same sex marriages or civil unions have increased across the country, the growth of support is not uniform, with a significantly lower level of support occurring in the Deep South compared to the rest of the country.[44] Given the wide diversity of opinions within the US, many supporters of same sex unions believe that the most accurate way to discuss support for same sex unions in the United States is on a state-by-state or region-to-region basis.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Gelman, Andrew; Lax, Jeffrey; Phillips, Justin (August 21, 2010). "Over Time, a Gay Marriage Groundswell". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/weekinreview/22gay.html.
- ^ a b c For First Time, Majority of Americans Favor Legal Gay Marriage
- ^ a b "Poll: Majority in US back same-sex marriage". AFP. 18-03-11. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110318/ts_afp/usgaymarriage. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ ABC News/Washington Post poll: same-sex marriage – March 18, 2011
- ^ CNN Opinion Research – April 9-10, 2011
- ^ [1] "Will Iowans Uphold Gay Marriage?" April 3rd, 2009, FiveThirtyEight, accessed Sept 29
- ^ a b [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ NPR: Maine Voters Reject Gay Marriage by SUSAN SHARON November 4, 2009 from MPBN
- ^ Human Rights Campaign: Statewide Marriage Prohibitions, January 13, 2010
- ^ http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/human_nature/2008/11/original_skin.html
- ^ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2008/11/did-blacks-tank/
- ^ "African-Americans, Bullies and the Debate Over Same-Sex Marriage". Fox News. May 27, 2011. http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/05/27/african-americans-bullies-debate-sex-marriage/.
- ^ The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press: Attitudes Toward Social Issues – March 3, 2011
- ^ ABC News/Washington Post poll: same-sex marriage – March 18, 2011
- ^ Democracy Corps poll - March 2011
- ^ CNN Opinion Research – April 9-10, 2011
- ^ Washington Post-ABC News poll
- ^ Americans' Opposition to Gay Marriage Eases Slightly
- ^ CNN Opinion Research – Aug 6-10, 2010
- ^ The AP-National Constitution Center Poll – Aug 11-16, 2010
- ^ PPP Poll – August 13, 2010
- ^ Pollster: Most 'gay marriage' polls skewed
- ^ Polling Director: Polls Stating Americans Support Gay Marriage Untrustworthy
- ^ Fox News Poll Opinion Dynamics – Aug 13, 2010
- ^ CNN 2010 Exit Polls
- ^ http://abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/1089a6HotButtonIssues.pdf
- ^ http://cbs5.com/national/gay.marriage.poll.2.996134.html
- ^ http://www.gallup.com/poll/118378/Majority-Americans-Continue-Oppose-Gay-Marriage.aspx
- ^ CBS News/New York Times Poll. April 22–26, 2009. N=973 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all adults)[4], PollingReport.com
- ^ a b c Law and Civil Rights, PollingReport.com. (Accessed January 05, 2012)
- ^ Silver, Nate. "Two National Polls, for First Time, Show Plurality Support for Gay Marriage". FiveThirtyEight. http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/two-national-polls-for-first-time-show.html. Retrieved 2010-12-12 date=April 30, 2009.
- ^ American 'Millennials' divided over same-sex marriage
- ^ a b American Voters Oppose Same-Sex Marriage Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds, But They Don't Want Government To Ban It
- ^ Buchanan, Wyatt, Resistance to same-sex marriage drops across U.S, San Francisco Chronicle, March 24, 2006. (Accessed July 5, 2006)
- ^ U.S. Divided on Homosexual Couples: Angus Reid Global Monitor
- ^ Americans Divided on Same-Sex Legal Rights: Angus Reid Global Monitor
- ^ "Traditional Views of Marriage Tops in Voters' Minds". Archived from the original on 2008-04-06. http://web.archive.org/web/20080406011755/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/general_current_events/traditional_views_of_marriage_tops_in_voters_minds. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ a b c d e "Fewer Are Angry at Government, But Discontent Remains High". http://www.people-press.org/2011/03/03/section-3-attitudes-toward-social-issues/. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
- ^ a b "Less Opposition to Gay Marriage, Adoption and Military Service". http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=273. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
- ^ a b [5]
- ^ a b [6]
- ^ [7]
- ^ a b c [8] Lax and Phillips, "Gay Rights in the States: Public Opinion and Policy Responsiveness," August 2009
- ^ Ten Years of Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage, The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
- ^ [9]
- ^ [10]
- ^ [11]
- ^ [12]
- ^ [13] "Iowa Poll: Iowans evenly divided on gay marriage ban," Sept. 21 2009, Des Moines Register, Accessed Sept. 29
- ^ [14] "Hawkeye Poll: Majority of Iowans support recognition of same-sex relationships," April 3rd 2009, University of Iowa News Service, accessed Sept 29
- ^ [15] April 2nd 2009, Hawkeye Poll, accessed Sept. 29
- ^ [16]
- ^ [17] "Bans in 3 States on Gay Marriage," Nov. 5, 2008, The New York Times, accessed Sept. 29, 2009
- ^ [18] "Setback for gay rights in Maine, but hope elsewhere", Nov 15, 2009, The Cap Times, accessed Nov 16, 2009
- ^ [19] "Hunstman calls self 'moderating voice' on many issues," Feb 10. 2009, Deseret News, accessed Sept. 29, 2009
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