Religious Right hate groups have long clung to language such as “the American people define marriage as between a man and a woman,” and they had a good run with it. It never really got gays down because we knew where the trend was going. We know every time they sputter about how “thirty-one states have voted against gay marriage,” that that line is only valid until states start voting for it en masse. The thing about their message is that younger generations just aren’t stupid enough to buy into their bile. We know it, and they know it.
Yet another poll has come out [this is the fourth in a matter of weeks] showing that yes, Margaret Gallagher-Srivastav, the American people support marriage equality:
A poll released by the Public Religion Research Institute on Thursday confirmed what several other national pollsters have found: A majority of Americans now support marriage rights for same-sex couples. The poll found that 51 percent of Americans supported legalizing gay marriage compared to 43 who opposed legalization.
The poll also showed that the level of “strong” support for gay marriage is equal to the level of “strong” opposition. Twenty-four percent said they strongly felt that gay marriage should be legal while 25 percent said they strongly opposed the idea.
[...]
The PPRI poll mirrors similar findings by CNN in April that found 51 percent of Americans supporting gay marriage and 44 percent opposed. A Washington Post poll in March found that 53 percent supported gay marriage and 44 percent opposed it.
Now, will the Religious right continue to claim that the “American people” are against marriage equality? Of course, for two reasons:
1. They are liars, above all else.
2. They are supremacists, and when they say “American people,” the truth is that they really only mean “American people” who believe and look like they do. They view themselves as above the rest of us, as the true inheritors of America. Yes, it is laughable, but it is what they believe. This is why they spend countless hours indoctrinating their children into false versions of American history which write things like church-state separation out of the Constitution. They’re delusional, and they’re happy that way.
But let the record show — the American people are on our side here. And that pendulum just ain’t goin’ back the way.
Sorry, bigots.
Great post, Evan. It does appear that the numbers are starting to go in our direction at last. Sadly, given their track record, I suspect the haters will just keep mouthing the same old lies, hoping people will believe it if they say them enough. These people are beyond pitiful.
The problem as I see it, if we go the voting route is to get all these people who SAY they support marriage equality to the polls to actually vote. That is where the problem is (though I don’t like the idea of people voting on the rights of others, namely us). It does no good to say that they support marriage equality and then not bother to vote. Talk is cheap. This failure to translate personal opinions into actual votes on the part of pro-equality voters is part of why marriage equality got clobbered in Maine.
Time for all these people who SAY they support us to put their money where their mouths are.
[...] Dear Religious Right: The American People Support Marriage Equality. Read more [...]
Just because 51% of the American public supports marriage equality doesn’t mean it will translate into more states allowing same-sex marriage. Public opinion polls mean nothing if state governments often do not follow the wishes or the sentiments of those supporting it. Look at New York State. We lost the first round and now we’re going to lose the second round before June 20 if it comes up for a vote. Thus far, only 28 Democrats would vote YES, 4 would vote NO and absolutely NO republicans would vote for it. Unless the Democrats have major control of both houses, we’re NEVER going to win. I don’t see it happening for some time, maybe not for many years.
Senator Martin Golden (R) and Rev. Ruben Diaz (D) are now sponsoring a bill now to invalidate same-sex marriages performed out of state. It probably will never pass but the fact is, there’s a lot of hatred out there towards us. NOM and their fellow hate groups can chalk this one up to yet another victory, sadly.
[...] this year. The tide has truly turned, as for the first time, a majority of the American people, in multiple polls, support true equal rights for gays and lesbians, all the way up to marriage. People are starting [...]