Gay Marriage: sixteen states' different takes.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

While taking a look at the latest round of SurveyUSA polling, I noticed that there's some very interesting data buried in the crosstabs: a scientific gauge of the public's opinion on the issues of abortion and gay marriage.  The abortion crosstab isn't new, but the gay marriage one is.

Since gay marriage is a bit of a hot topic this past week with Massachusetts denying the "traditional marriage" crowd a statewide vote, I thought it'd be interesting to see where opinion is, state by state.

Unfortunately, the data is only available for those states with an affiliate that has a running contract with SurveyUSA.

"Support Same Sex Marriage?" (6/18/07)
ALABAMA  17%/78%  (+/- 3.9%)
CALIFORNIA  44%/48% (+/- 4.1%)
IOWA  35%/56% (+/- 4.1%)
KANSAS  33%/58% (+/- 3.9%)
KENTUCKY  23%/72% (+/- 4%)
MASSACHUSETTS  50%/43% (+/- 4.1%)
MINNESOTA  37%/55% (+/- 4.1%)
MISSOURI  31%/62% (+/- 4.1%)
NEW MEXICO  35%/59% (+/- 3.8%)
NEW YORK  43%/49% (+/- 4.1%)
OHIO  32%/60% (+/- 4%)
OREGON  41%/54% (+/- 4.1%)
TEXAS  27%/66% (+/- 4.1%)
VIRGINIA  31%/64%  (+/- 4%)
WASHINGTON  44%/49%  (+/- 4.1%)
WISCONSIN  35%/57% (+/- 4.1%)

[Trivia question for some bonus points: How many of the above 16 states have pro-life pluralities?  You may be surprised at the answer.]

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Massachusetts is a clear case that once a place legalizes SSM, the people will eventually support it. I am guessing that when it was first legalized, most opposed it- or at least it was closer. Same thing here. Peoples' opinions have dramatically shifted since before and after legalizing SSM. Once people realize how harmless it really is, they accept it.

Indeed you'd be correct.

In fact, I'd argue that the surge in support is totally a consequence of gay marriage becoming "cool," and enticing soccer moms by the truckload to embrace a new gay lifestyle choice and get one of those "gay marriages" they keep hearing about on Oprah.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Massachusetts is a clear case that once a place legalizes SSM, the people will eventually support it. I am guessing that when it was first legalized, most opposed it- or at least it was closer. Same thing here. Peoples' opinions have dramatically shifted since before and after legalizing SSM. Once people realize how harmless it really is, they accept it.

Indeed you'd be correct.

In fact, I'd argue that the surge in support is totally a consequence of gay marriage becoming "cool," and enticing soccer moms by the truckload to embrace a new gay lifestyle choice and get one of those "gay marriages" they keep hearing about on Oprah.

The thing is, DWTL could have posted this seriously.

I would because the main reason for support of gay marriage stems from fear of being labeled homophobic and wanting to fit in

And if so few people support gay marraige because they think it's a good idea, who is everyone else trying to "fit in" with?

The number of support is probably something like 30%, and those people do a good job of convincing others they will labeled as homophobic for not supporting it.  It reminds me of a Family Guy quote, "Anyone who doesn't want to go to war is gay!"

If by "homophobia" you mean people who are afraid of gays, then yes, this particular gay marriage supporter believes a majority of those opposed to gay marriage do so because of a(n) (irrational) fear of gays and the (non) consequences of gay marriage.

They seem to firmly believe (ridiculously) that their own marriage will somehow be threatened by gay marriage, that the divorce rate will increase (though gay marriage has ironically sent the divorce rate in MA sharply lower), or will cause their four-year-old son Timmy to come out of the closet because he saw two men kissing once on the TeeVee.  (Yuh huh.)

Most people support gay marriage because (1) they have a gay/lesbian family member, friend, or co-worker, (2) its the right thing to do from a civil rights stand point, and (3) there are absolutely no perceived negative consquences for most sane, logical people in allowing gays to marry (save, perhaps, for an overpowering fear of the wrath of God).