Despite set backs and lost battles, the tide of the culture wars is trending against the Christianists and their allied hate merchants on the battle for civil law recognition of same sex unions. That's not to say the Maggie Gallaghers and similar self-enriching political prostitutes of the far right will not become increasingly shrill in their anti-gay diatribes. But long term, they have lost the battle for the hearts and minds of average Americans as evidence by the chart set out above. Here are some highlights from Religion Dispatches:
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Sociologist Darren Sherkat of Southern Illinois University has taken a close look at the General Social Survey data and found that in 2010, for the first time, more Americans support than oppose same-sex marriage.
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When you look at that graph, the shift is dramatic; in 1988, just 22 years ago, only 12% of Americans supported gay marriage. In 2010, it was 46%, with only 40% opposed. And it's even a big shift from 2008 to 2010: support went up seven points, and opposition trended downward seven points.
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"Our findings suggest that in a little over a decade the majority of Americans will support the legalization of same-sex marriage." While the 2010 data doesn't show an over-50% majority, it does show, far more quickly than Sherkat expected, support outpacing opposition.
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Overall, attitudes are indeed shifting. But the zealousness of political and religious conservatives to continue to battle LGBT rights, even facing an absence of overall public support, makes it unlikely that they will retreat anytime soon.
*
Sociologist Darren Sherkat of Southern Illinois University has taken a close look at the General Social Survey data and found that in 2010, for the first time, more Americans support than oppose same-sex marriage.
*
When you look at that graph, the shift is dramatic; in 1988, just 22 years ago, only 12% of Americans supported gay marriage. In 2010, it was 46%, with only 40% opposed. And it's even a big shift from 2008 to 2010: support went up seven points, and opposition trended downward seven points.
*
"Our findings suggest that in a little over a decade the majority of Americans will support the legalization of same-sex marriage." While the 2010 data doesn't show an over-50% majority, it does show, far more quickly than Sherkat expected, support outpacing opposition.
*
Overall, attitudes are indeed shifting. But the zealousness of political and religious conservatives to continue to battle LGBT rights, even facing an absence of overall public support, makes it unlikely that they will retreat anytime soon.
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