On Friday afternoon PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute) released a report on new data gathered by the Pew Research Center that show that the American public’s views on same-sex relationships and gay and lesbian marriage are showing significant movement during the past decade. A majority of Americans now support civil unions. Same-sex marriage support has increased 27%.
Interestingly there seems to be a shift in the clergy statements on the need for laws regarding “homosexuality” with more clergy discussing legal issues.
In particular from the press release:
- “Support for civil unions has steadily increased, moving up 12 points from 45% in 2003 to a solid majority 57% in 2009.
- Support for same-sex marriage has also increased, though less steadily. Support for same-sex marriage has increased from 30% in 2003 to 38% in January 2010.
- Support for adoption by gay and lesbian couples grew from 38% in 1999 to 46% in 2008, with 48% opposed. Over the last thirteen years, the percentage of Americans who agreed that more gay and lesbian couples raising children was ‘a bad thing’ for society fell by 14 points, from a solid majority (56%) in 1997 to only 42% in January 2010.
- Support for allowing gay and lesbian people to serve openly in the military has risen from 52% in 1994 to 58% in 2005, and 61% in February 2010.
- In July 1994, 46% of the public said homosexuality is ‘a way of life’ that should be accepted by society, while 49% said it should be discouraged. By 2007 the numbers had reversed: half said homosexuality should be accepted, and 4-in-10 said it should be discouraged.
- The percentage of regular church attenders who say their clergy talk about ‘laws regarding homosexuals’ increased from 36% in 1996, to 41% in 2003, and to 52% in 2006. In 2003, nearly three-quarters of those who had heard their clergy speak about ‘issues related to homosexuality’ reported that their clergy said homosexuality should be discouraged.
- Between 2003 and 2006, the percentage of people who believe sexual orientation could not be changed rose from 42% to 49%.”
Read the full release here.
There are a few points of concern about the survey’s methodology that are listed on the page linked above, but those quibbles aside, the survey data represents a significant contribution of data to the ongoing public policy debate.