Posted on by Randy Slovacek

71% Of Americans Support Same-Sex Marriage

Gallup reports that 71 percent of Americans support legal same-sex marriage, an all-time high. This is based on the polling company's annual Values and Beliefs poll, conducted in May.

Gallup reports that 71 percent of Americans support same-sex marriage, an all-time high. This is based on the polling company’s annual Values and Beliefs poll, conducted in May.

Gallup first began polling on same-sex marriage in 1996 when only 27% of respondents gave a thumbs-up to marriage equality.

Support crossed into majority territory 15 years later in 2011. And by 2015, the year the Supreme Court issued its historic Obergefell v. Hodges ruling which made marriage equality the law of the land, support had risen to 60 percent.

Last year’s polling showed support had increased to 70 percent.

71% Of Americans Support Same-Sex Marriage
(graphic via Gallup)

According to the report, “weekly churchgoers” remain the primary opponents to marriage equality.

Among folks who say they attend religious services weekly only 40% say they support same-sex marriage rights, 58 % remain opposed.

Respondents who say they do not attend church regularly have historically shown the most consistent support for marriage equality.

Sarah Warbelow, Human Rights Campaign’s legal director, said in a press statement:

“This new data not only shows the continuing growth of support for same-sex marriage but also underscores what we have long known — anti-LGBTQ+ politicians and activists attacking marriage equality do not reflect the beliefs of the nation and are working contrary to public opinion.”

“Notably, the Supreme Court doesn’t take public opinion into account when makings its decision; the Court will override decades of precedent if it strikes down Roe, despite the fact that a majority of Americans support access to abortion care,” she continued.

“If that does indeed happen, it will likely embolden state legislatures – who have already been introducing and passing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation at a record pace – to continue to test the limits of court recognized LGBTQ+ equality.”