Pew Research: Support for same-sex marriage by demographic [updated]

The Pew Forum has a series of graphs reflecting the American public’s attitudes regarding same-sex marriage over the last decade, and the results are as always: predictable and encouraging.

Here’s same-sex marriage support in general:

Public Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage, 2001-2011: 2001/2011 = Oppose 57%/46%, Favor 35%/45%

Support by political affiliation:

Support for Same-Sex Marriage by Political Party, 2001-2011: 2001/2011 = Democrats 43%/57%, Independents 43%/51%, Republicans 21%/23%

Support by political ideology:

Support for Same-Sex Marriage by Political Ideology, 2001-2011: 2001/2011 = Liberals 56%/66%, Moderates 41%/54%, Conservatives 18%/26%

And support by religious affiliation:

Support for Same-Sex Marriage by Religious Affiliation, 2001-2011: 2001/2011 = Religiously Unaffiliated 61%/66%, Catholics 40%/54%, White mainline Protestants 38%/53%, Black Protestants 30%/32%, White evangelical Protestants 13%/12%

All in all, it’s the same story we’ve been hearing for years across dozens of such polls: The public is growing more accepting of LGBT people and they’re doing so at an increasing rate, especially amongst the younger and more liberal and free-minded. We’re still far from full equality (and the far-Right has made it its raison d’être to set that cause back as far as they can), but every passing year (and new influx of data points) gives us yet more reason to be optimistic about the future. I was particularly intrigued by how conservatives in general appear more flexible on the matter than card-holding Republicans, which seems to indicate how party affiliation really does trap one in tradition and precedent.

Of course, there’s not really much of a point in pointing out how it’s the “religious nones” who, whilst definitely not at ideal levels, are still the most accepting of all, is there? Nor is there any surprise at the fact that fundagelicals are trailing at the bottom, as always. Looks like religion is even worse than political parties at enslaving your mind into intolerance … which, again, is another non-surprise.

(via Friendly Atheist)

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UPDATE (10/28/11 6:26 PM) – Hemant Mehta now notes that while “Religiously Unaffiliated” folks were about 62% supportive of same-sex marriage in 2010 (according to the above graph), this includes lots of “religious independents” – people who still believe in God and may or may not continue to adhere to various religious beliefs, but who simply eschew the religious label. As he points out, a demographic of only atheists and agnostics actually pulls up 80% support for same-sex marriage:

Support for Same-Sex Marriage by Religious Affiliation, 2001-2011: 2001/2011 = [Atheists/Agnostics 80% in 2010,] Religiously Unaffiliated 61%/66%, Catholics 40%/54%, White mainline Protestants 38%/53%, Black Protestants 30%/32%, White evangelical Protestants 13%/12%

Much better, indeed.

Tags: The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life • Pew Research Center • same-sex marriage • gay marriage • LGBT marriage • liberals • conservatives • evangelicals