On June 26, , the U. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling that granted same-sex couples a constitutional right to marry. The decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized gay marriage nationwide, including in the 14 states that did not previously allow gays and lesbians to wed. As we approach the fourth anniversary of the ruling, here are five key facts about same-sex marriage:. Around four-in-ten U.
Changing Attitudes on Same-Sex Marriage | Pew Research Center
These data are from Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs poll, conducted May The latest figure marks the continuation of a trend that finds support for same-sex marriage remains more than twice as high as it was when Gallup first polled on the question in At that time, just over a quarter of Americans said it should be legal. Gallup polls over the past decade have mostly shown small, incremental increases in support for gay marriage each year.
This is what Americans think about same-sex marriage
Prior to their decision, same-sex marriage was already legal in 37 states and Washington DC, but was banned in the remaining Proponents of legal gay marriage contend that gay marriage bans are discriminatory and unconstitutional, and that same-sex couples should have access to all the benefits enjoyed by different-sex couples. Opponents contend that marriage has traditionally been defined as being between one man and one woman, and that marriage is primarily for procreation.
Support for same-sex marriage has steadily grown over the past 15 years. And today, support for same-sex marriage remains near its highest point since Pew Research Center began polling on this issue. Among people who are religiously unaffiliated, a solid majority have supported same-sex marriage since