A new Zogby poll shows a clear majority in favor of equal marriage rights. If valid, that’s another big jump in support. Essentially, in ten years, we’ve managed to shift about twenty percent of the population from one side to the other. That’s an astonishing pace of change – and one reason the far right wants to stop the debate and enshrine their position in the constitution itself. Why? Because if they don’t shut down the debate now, they’re going to lose as soon as the next generation grows up. Why the sea-change in public opinion? Maybe it has something to do with this:
When New Jerseyans were asked whether they personally know someone who is gay, lesbian or bisexual, 77 percent said yes and 23 percent said no. Four years ago, 57 percent responded yes in a similar Star-Ledger/Eagleton-Rutgers poll.
Once gays are seen for who we actually are, the opposition melts. A poll in Massachusetts found a similar result. Younger voters show even higher degrees of toleration. What’s interesting to me is that the level of support among independent voters is as high as 60 percent. Bush should be wary of endorsing a Federal Marriage Amendment that will signal to independents that he is a captive of the far right. Catholics are particularly supportive (next, as always, to Jews); and blacks remain the group most hostile to gay equality. No surprise there, either.
The Dish 