News (USA)

New poll reflects growing support nationwide for marriage equality

New poll reflects growing support nationwide for marriage equality

WASHINGTON — NBC News/ Wall Street Journal today released a national survey on marriage equality that reflects the ongoing sea change in public opinion on the issue — across a number of demographics, including party affiliation, age, and ethnicity.

“Today’s poll is yet another sign of where the country is moving – and moving at lightning speed,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “We’ve seen significant jumps in a number of respected polls over the past few years, confirming it’s a question of when, not if, we achieve full marriage equality.”

The NBC/WSJ survey showed marriage equality has strong majority backing among Democrats (up 12 points from 2009) and a plurality of Independents (up 9 points). There was a large increase in support among African Americans – 32 percent favored in 2009 to 50 percent now. And a majority in both the 18-34 and 50-64 age brackets favor marriage for gay and lesbian couples.

Overall, 49 percent of Americans support committed, loving gay and lesbian couples getting married, according to the poll, with 40 percent opposed. In 2009, support for marriage equality was at only 41 percent, with 49 percent opposed. Other recent national polls, including from CNN, Gallup, AP, register majority support for the issue.

The poll was conducted February 29-March 3, 2012, of 800 adults, including 200 cell phone-only respondents which included GOP primary voters. The poll can be found here.

Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

True transgender story: Laverne Cox, ‘I’m from Mobile, Ala.’

Previous article

Obama’s childhood nanny in Indonesia is a transgender women who fears for her life

Next article