Minnesota is the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage, the third state this month. It is suffice to say that “we are on a roll” on an issue that is long overdue. The 180 degree turnaround in attitudes towards gay marriage in just a few short years is nothing short of miraculous. Just 9 years ago in 2004, when Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage only 22% of the American public registered approval, and today over half of the US population says they approve of same sex marriage.
I don’t know of any other civil or human rights issue in history to gain this type of momentum in such a short span of time.
Most researchers attribute the turnaround to the more liberal attitudes of the millennial generation, who now comprise the majority of the population. This group, born between 1980 and 2000, constitute 80 million (27% of the adult population), overtaking baby boomers whose numbers are now 76 million. Seventy percent of millennials favor same-sex marriage. Interestingly though, according to a Pew Research Survey conducted in March about 14% of Americans have actually changed their views on gay marriage over time. For example the oldest generation (Traditionalists or Silent Generation born between 1927-1945) went from 17% approval in 2003 to 31% today. The primary reasons cited for the shift in attitudes include the following:
Twelve down and 38 to go! And there is also DOMA to still consider. The latest headline from Forbes in March declared DOMA dead so there is still no federal law protecting gay marriage rights and benefits.
Yes, progress is being made as attitudes change quickly but the legal framework for equality seems to be lagging behind. Not surprising, right? Just means we have to keep pushing.
Image courtesy of www.hrc.org
