Good news. We’re not there yet, and as these new poll results show, we’re still dealing with the fact that those who oppose us do so more vehemently than those who support us, but still, things are looking good:
Fifty-three percent of the 1,000 adults surveyed believe the government should give legal recognition to marriages between couples of the same sex, about the same as last year, according to the nationwide telephone poll by The Associated Press and the National Constitution Center. Forty-four percent were opposed.
People are similarly conflicted over what, if anything, the government should do about the issue.
Support for legal recognition of same-sex marriage has shifted in recent years, from narrow majority opposition in 2009 to narrow majority support now. Some of the shift stems from a generational divide, with the new poll showing a majority of Americans younger than 65 in favor of legal recognition for same-sex marriages and a majority of seniors opposed.
One problem, explored in the article, is that that there are a lot of people out there who know in their hearts that they should support full equality, but can’t get there because their religious beliefs prevent them from making the truly moral choice. A sixty-two year old woman explains that she loves her daughter, loves her daughter’s partner and believes that they should have all the rights and benefits of marriage — but yet she won’t be going to her daughter’s wedding because she’s a Mormon and can’t give them her full support. It’s so sad, the way that conservative religion still tears families apart.
Sad that religion which should be tying people together, so often tears them apart. And the reasons for the divisions keep changing as times go on. I was raised a Roman Catholic, and can remember when we were told not to attend Protestant services or weddings lest our faith be in danger and lest we be giving the impression that we thought their religions were just as good. And this was not just a Catholic thing. My sister worked with a Lutheran girl many years ago, and her minister advised her against associating with my sister for fear she would be led astray into Roman Catholicism. Today in some countries Muslims are killed if they convert to Christianity.
Gay marriage has nothing to do with anyone but gay people.
Nobody but gay people should be allowed to vote in favour or against same sex marriage.
I really don’t see why straights (esp. fundie dickheads) should have any say in the matter.
John, i remember those days too. I remember when (the 60s) someone started dating a new person, one of the first questions asked was, ‘is he/she a Catholic or a Protestant?’
In the 70s, my Catholic cousin went out a few times with a boy she met while playing softball. Her family was mildly concerned because he was Jewish. But the joke was on them because she turned out to be a lesbian; the fact that she was a ‘jock’ should have been a clue. ;)
I would truly hope the Mormon mother would have the courage to “give [her daughter] her full support” by attending the wedding. She already believes in her daughter’s rights, and loves her daughter and her partner. Take the last step and “come out” with active, vocal support. The Mormon church needs more people on the inside who love, respect, and accept LGBTQ people exactly how they are.
Mark, I agree with you that would be great. I was raised Mormon and my family is (mostly) still. I also have many friends who are Mormons and both friends and family have told me they support me and gay marriage–but pretty much all of them are in the closet about their support. They are all afraid to go public because the church does enforce a strict code of behavior. That’s why so many Mormons who support gay marriage still donated to Prop 8–the church pretty much made them (though they would never admit it).
I think the commandment “Love thy neighbor” means that you DO NOT tear families apart. If you’re going to use Jesus as fundraising tool, then you have to take His commandments seriously.