Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage | Pew Research Center
Pew Research Center: Religion & Public Life
Public Opinion
In Pew Research polling in 2001, Americans opposed same-sex marriage by a 57% to 35% margin.
Since then, support for same-sex marriage has steadily grown. Today, a majority of Americans (57%) support same-sex marriage, compared with 39% who oppose it.
Attitudes by Generation
This is due in part to generational change. Younger generations express higher levels of support for same-sex marriage.
However, older generations also have become more supportive of same-sex marriage in recent years.
Attitudes by Religious Affiliation
Among people who are religiously unaffiliated, a solid majority have supported same-sex marriage since 2001.
And among Catholics and white mainline Protestants, roughly six-in-ten now express support for same-sex marriage.
Support for same-sex marriage among black Protestants and white evangelical Protestants remains lower than among other religious groups.
Attitudes by Political Party
Roughly two-thirds of both Democrats and independents (65%) now favor same-sex marriage.
Nearly two-thirds of Republicans continue to oppose same-sex marriage, though they also have become more supportive over the past decade.
Attitudes by Political Ideology
Support for same-sex marriage now stands at 79% among self-described liberals and 67% among moderates.
Far fewer conservatives (30%) support same-sex marriage.
Attitudes by Race
In 2001, roughly one-third of both whites and blacks expressed support for same-sex marriage. Today, 59% of whites support same-sex marriage, as do 41% of blacks.
Attitudes by Gender
Support for same-sex marriage has risen among both men and women in recent years. Today, 60% of women and 53% of men support same-sex marriage.
Source: Aggregated data from Pew Research Center polls conducted in each year. Question wording can be found here, and information on the Pew Research Center's polling methodology can be found here.
Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage | Pew Research Center