Gallup's Pulse of Democracy
Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage as Only Between a Man and a Woman
|
Guidance for Lawmakers
|
- A slight majority of Americans would advise voting "yes" on a U.S. constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman; slightly less than half would advise voting "no," but support does not approach the two-thirds level.
- Concomitantly, a majority of Americans would advise voting "no" on a law that would make marriage between same-sex partners legal.
- Greatest interest, pressure, and sense of urgency on this issue comes from opponents of same-sex marriage -- the very religious, conservatives, and Republicans.
|
|
Fine Print
|
Support levels for a constitutional amendment vary depending on how it is explained. Support appears to be lower when the amendment is laid out in terms that stress negative implications (that is, that it would "make it illegal for homosexual couples to get married anywhere in the United States" or that it would "ban same-sex marriage"). Support appears higher when only "defining marriage as between a man and a woman" is mentioned. Americans appear to be split on whether the ultimate responsibility over this issue lies with either the state or federal governments.
|
|
Context
|
The issue of a constitutional amendment plays out in a context in which about half of Americans remain uncomfortable with homosexuality.
The public became broadly more liberal regarding homosexual behavior and the legality of homosexuality between 1992 and 2003, but that pattern reversed itself in the summer of 2003 in reaction to a highly visible Supreme Court decision, and has since leveled out with slight plurality saying that homosexual relations should be legal. Most Americans favor equal rights for gays and lesbians in the workplace and are accepting of homosexuals in most occupations. Only about half find same-sex relations "acceptable" or that they should be "legal."
|
|
Urgency: Overall Importance as Political Issue
|
Despite high visibility on this issue, and opinions from some observers that it could be a major factor in future presidential campaigns, the overall sense of urgency regarding policies about homosexuality is not high in either direction. Of any issues tested, it had the lowest importance for the 2004 presidential vote. An early 2006 survey finds less than half want change in either direction; the rest like things as they are. This could be a wedge issue activating very conservative, very religious Americans who tend to rate this as a more important issue than do average Americans. Supporters of a constitutional amendment feel somewhat stronger about the issue than do those who oppose.
|
|
Key Subgroup Differences
|
Support for a constitutional amendment is highest among conservatives, older Americans, Republicans, those living in the South, and the very religious. Opposition is highest among liberals, young Americans, those with graduate degrees, those who are less religious, and Democrats. Age is a strong differentiator of attitudes. Party is not as strong a predictor as some would imagine; many Democrats favor an amendment. In no group does support for an amendment reach two-thirds.
|
|
The Bottom Line
|
There is nowhere near the two-thirds or three-fourths support level outlined in Constitution for elevating the same-sex marriage issue to constitutional amendment status.
Support for such an amendment hovers around the 50/50 level, with strong support from conservatives, Republicans, and older Americans. Pressure from supporters of an amendment is stronger than pressure from opponents. Passage of an amendment would alienate about 26% of voters, mainly Democrats and liberals. Failure to pass an amendment would upset about 34% of Americans. There is some potential growth in support for an amendment given that about 6 in 10 Americans oppose same-sex marriage generally.
|
Do you think homosexual relations between consenting adults should or should not be legal?
|
|
Should
be legal
|
Should not
be legal
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2008 May 8-11
|
55
|
40
|
5
|
|
2007 May 10-13
|
59
|
37
|
4
|
|
2006 May 8-11 ^
|
56
|
40
|
4
|
|
2005 Aug 22-25
|
49
|
44
|
7
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
52
|
43
|
5
|
|
2004 May 2-4
|
52
|
43
|
5
|
|
2004 Jan 9-11
|
46
|
49
|
5
|
|
2003 Jul 25-27
|
48
|
46
|
6
|
|
2003 Jul 18-20
|
50
|
44
|
6
|
|
2003 May 19-21
|
59
|
37
|
4
|
|
2003 May 5-7
|
60
|
35
|
5
|
|
2002 May 6-9
|
52
|
43
|
5
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
54
|
42
|
4
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9
|
50
|
43
|
7
|
|
1996 Nov 21-24
|
44
|
47
|
9
|
|
1992 Jun 4-8
|
48
|
44
|
8
|
|
1989 Oct 12-15
|
47
|
36
|
17
|
|
1988 Jul 1-7
|
35
|
57
|
11
|
|
1987 Mar 14-18
|
33
|
55
|
12
|
|
1986 Sep 13-17
|
33
|
54
|
13
|
|
1986 Jul 11-14
|
32
|
57
|
11
|
|
1985 Nov 11-18
|
44
|
47
|
9
|
|
1982 Jun 25-28
|
45
|
39
|
16
|
|
1977 Jun 17-20
|
43
|
43
|
14
|
|
^ Asked of half sample
|
Do you feel that homosexuality should be considered an acceptable alternative lifestyle or not?
|
|
Acceptable
|
Not acceptable
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2008 May 8-11
|
57
|
40
|
3
|
|
2007 Sep 7-8
|
48
|
46
|
6
|
|
2007 May 10-13
|
57
|
39
|
3
|
|
2006 May 8-11 ^
|
54
|
41
|
4
|
|
2005 May 2-5 ^
|
51
|
45
|
4
|
|
2004 May 2-4
|
54
|
42
|
4
|
|
2003 Jul 25-27
|
46
|
49
|
5
|
|
2003 May 5-7
|
54
|
43
|
3
|
|
2002 May 6-9
|
51
|
44
|
5
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
52
|
43
|
5
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9 ^
|
50
|
46
|
4
|
|
1997 Apr 18-20 ^
|
42
|
52
|
6
|
|
1996 Mar 15-17 ^
|
44
|
50
|
6
|
|
1992 Jun 4-8
|
38
|
57
|
5
|
|
1982 Jun 25-28
|
34
|
51
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
^ Asked of half sample
|
As you may know, there has been considerable discussion in the news regarding the rights of homosexual men and women. In general, do you think homosexuals should or should not have equal rights in terms of job opportunities?
|
|
Yes,
should
|
No,
should not
|
Depends
(vol.)
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2008 May 8-11
|
89
|
8
|
1
|
1
|
|
2007 May 10-13
|
89
|
8
|
1
|
2
|
|
2006 May 8-11 ^
|
89
|
9
|
1
|
1
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
87
|
11
|
1
|
1
|
|
2004 May 2-4 †
|
89
|
8
|
1
|
2
|
|
2003 May 19-21
|
88
|
10
|
1
|
1
|
|
2003 May 5-7
|
88
|
9
|
2
|
1
|
|
2002 May 6-9
|
86
|
11
|
1
|
2
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
85
|
11
|
3
|
1
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9
|
83
|
13
|
2
|
2
|
|
1996 Nov 21-24
|
84
|
12
|
2
|
2
|
|
1993 Apr 22-24
|
80
|
14
|
--
|
6
|
|
1992 Jun 4-7
|
74
|
18
|
--
|
8
|
|
1989 Oct 12-15
|
71
|
18
|
--
|
11
|
|
1982 Jun 25-28
|
59
|
28
|
--
|
13
|
|
1977 Jun 17-20
|
56
|
33
|
--
|
11
|
|
(vol.) = Volunteered response
|
|
† WORDING: As you may know, there has been considerable discussion in the news regarding the rights of homosexual men and women. In general, do you think homosexuals should or should not have equal rights in terms of job opportunities?
|
In your view, is homosexuality -- [ROTATED: something a person is born with, (or is homosexuality) due to factors such as upbringing and environment]?
|
|
Born with
|
Upbringing/
environment
|
Both
(vol.)
|
Neither
(vol.)
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2008 May 8-11
|
41
|
38
|
9
|
2
|
9
|
|
2007 May 10-13
|
42
|
35
|
11
|
2
|
9
|
|
2006 May 8-11 ^
|
42
|
37
|
11
|
2
|
8
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
38
|
44
|
10
|
2
|
6
|
|
2004 May 2-4
|
37
|
41
|
11
|
3
|
8
|
|
2003 May 5-7
|
38
|
44
|
11
|
2
|
5
|
|
2002 May 6-9
|
40
|
36
|
12
|
4
|
8
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
40
|
39
|
9
|
3
|
9
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9
|
34
|
44
|
13
|
1
|
8
|
|
1996 Nov 21-24
|
31
|
40
|
13
|
3
|
13
|
|
1989 Oct 12-15
|
19
|
48
|
12
|
2
|
19
|
|
1982 Jun 25-28
|
17
|
52
|
13
|
2
|
16
|
|
1977 Jun 17-20
|
13
|
56
|
14
|
3
|
15
|
|
(vol.) = Volunteered response
|
|
^ Asked of half sample
|
Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?
|
|
Should
be valid
|
Should not
be valid
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2008 May 8-11 †
|
40
|
56
|
4
|
|
2007 May 10-13
|
46
|
53
|
1
|
|
2006 May 8-11 †
|
42
|
56
|
2
|
|
2006 May 8-11 ^†
|
39
|
58
|
4
|
|
2005 Aug 22-25 ^
|
37
|
59
|
4
|
|
2004 May 2-4 ^
|
42
|
55
|
3
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9 ^
|
35
|
62
|
3
|
|
1996 Mar 15-17 ^
|
27
|
68
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
^ WORDING: Do you think marriages between homosexuals should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?
|
|
† Asked of a half sample
|
Trends for Comparison: Polls in which gay marriage question NOT preceded by question(s) on homosexual rights and relations
|
|
Should be
valid
|
Should not be valid
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2005 Apr 29-May 1
|
39
|
56
|
5
|
|
2005 Mar 18-20 ^
|
28
|
68
|
4
|
|
2004 Jul 19-21 ^
|
32
|
62
|
6
|
|
2004 Mar 5-7
|
33
|
61
|
6
|
|
2004 Feb 16-17
|
32
|
64
|
4
|
|
2004 Feb 6-8 ^
|
36
|
59
|
5
|
|
2003 Dec 15-16
|
31
|
65
|
4
|
|
2003 Oct 24-26
|
35
|
61
|
4
|
|
2003 Jun 27-29
|
39
|
55
|
6
|
|
2000 Jan 13-16
|
34
|
62
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
^ Asked of a half sample
|
Would you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as being between a man and a woman, thus barring marriages between gay or lesbian couples?
|
|
Favor
|
Oppose
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2008 May 8-11^
|
49
|
48
|
3
|
|
2006 May 8-11
|
50
|
47
|
3
|
|
2005 Apr 29-May 1
|
53
|
44
|
3
|
|
2005 Mar 18-20
|
57
|
37
|
6
|
|
2004 Jul 19-21 ^
|
48
|
46
|
6
|
|
2004 May 2-4
|
51
|
45
|
4
|
|
2004 Mar 5-7
|
50
|
45
|
5
|
|
2004 Feb 9-12
|
53
|
44
|
3
|
|
2004 Feb 6-8 ^
|
47
|
47
|
6
|
|
2003 Jul 18-20
|
50
|
45
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
^ Asked of a half sample
|
Thinking about how the gay marriage issue might affect your vote for major offices, would you -- [ROTATED: only vote for a candidate who shares your views on gay marriage, consider a candidate's position on gay marriage as just one of many important factors when voting, or would you not see gay marriage as a major issue?
|
|
Candidate
must share
views
|
One of many
important
factors
|
Not a
major issue
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2008 May 8-11
|
16
|
49
|
33
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 May 2-4
|
16
|
46
|
35
|
3
|
Would you like to see homosexuality be more widely accepted in this nation, less widely accepted, or is the acceptance of homosexuality in this nation today about right?
|
|
More
widely
accepted
|
Less
widely
accepted
|
About
right
|
Other
(vol.)
|
No
opinion
|
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 Jan 15-18
|
33
|
37
|
27
|
*
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 Jan 3-5
|
29
|
36
|
30
|
1
|
4
|
|
2004 Jan 12-15
|
30
|
35
|
31
|
1
|
3
|
|
2003 Jan 13-16
|
28
|
31
|
34
|
1
|
6
|
|
2002 Jan 7-9
|
29
|
33
|
32
|
1
|
5
|
|
2001 Jan 10-14
|
29
|
34
|
33
|
1
|
3
|
|
* Less than 0.5%
|
|
(vol.) = Volunteered response
|
Do you think that homosexual couples should be legally permitted to adopt children?
|
|
Yes, should
|
No, should not
|
No opinion
|
|
2007 Sep 7-8
|
46%
|
50
|
4
|
As you may know, under the current military policy, no one in the military is asked whether or not they are gay. But if they reveal that they are gay or they engage in homosexual activity, they will be discharged from the military. Do you personally think -- [ROTATED: gays should be allowed to serve openly in the military, gays should be allowed to serve under the current policy, or gays should not be allowed to serve in the military under any circumstances]?
|
|
Serve
openly
|
Serve under
current policy
|
Not serve
under any
circumstances
|
No
opinion
|
|
2007 Jul 6-8
|
46%
|
36
|
15
|
3
|
|
2000 Jan 13-16 ^
|
41%
|
38
|
17
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
^ WORDING: As you may know, under the current military policy, no one in the military is asked whether or not they are homosexual. But if they reveal that they are homosexual and they engage in homosexual activity, they will be discharged from the military. Do you personally think -- gays should be allowed to serve openly in the military, gays should be allowed to serve under the current policy, or gays should not be allowed to serve in the military under any circumstances?
|
Do you think homosexuals should or should not be hired for each of the following occupations? First, ... Next, ... [RANDOM ORDER]?
A. Salesperson
|
|
Should
|
Should not
|
Depends
(vol.)
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
90
|
7
|
1
|
2
|
|
2003 May 19-21
|
92
|
6
|
1
|
1
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
91
|
6
|
2
|
1
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9
|
90
|
8
|
1
|
1
|
|
1996 Nov 21-24
|
90
|
7
|
1
|
2
|
|
1992 Jun 4-8
|
82
|
13
|
3
|
2
|
B. The Armed Forces
|
|
Should
|
Should not
|
Depends
(vol.)
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
76
|
22
|
1
|
1
|
|
2003 May 19-21
|
80
|
18
|
1
|
1
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
72
|
23
|
2
|
3
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9
|
70
|
26
|
2
|
2
|
|
1996 Nov 21-24
|
65
|
29
|
3
|
3
|
|
1992 Jun 4-8
|
57
|
37
|
2
|
4
|
C. Doctors
|
|
Should
|
Should not
|
Depends
(vol.)
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
78
|
19
|
1
|
2
|
|
2003 May 19-21
|
82
|
16
|
1
|
1
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
78
|
18
|
2
|
2
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9
|
75
|
21
|
2
|
2
|
|
1996 Nov 21-24
|
69
|
25
|
3
|
3
|
|
1992 Jun 4-8
|
53
|
42
|
2
|
3
|
D. Clergy
|
|
Should
|
Should not
|
Depends
(vol.)
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
49
|
47
|
1
|
3
|
|
2003 May 19-21
|
56
|
39
|
2
|
3
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
54
|
39
|
2
|
5
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9
|
54
|
40
|
2
|
4
|
|
1996 Nov 21-24
|
53
|
40
|
3
|
4
|
|
1992 Jun 4-8
|
43
|
50
|
2
|
5
|
E. Elementary school teachers
|
|
Should
|
Should not
|
Depends
(vol.)
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
54
|
43
|
2
|
1
|
|
2003 May 19-21
|
61
|
37
|
2
|
*
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
56
|
40
|
3
|
1
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9
|
54
|
42
|
2
|
2
|
|
1996 Nov 21-24
|
55
|
40
|
3
|
2
|
|
1992 Jun 4-8
|
41
|
54
|
3
|
2
|
F. High school teachers
|
|
Should
|
Should not
|
Depends
(vol.)
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
62
|
36
|
1
|
1
|
|
2003 May 19-21
|
67
|
30
|
2
|
1
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
63
|
33
|
3
|
1
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9
|
61
|
36
|
2
|
1
|
|
1996 Nov 21-24
|
60
|
34
|
3
|
3
|
|
1992 Jun 4-8
|
47
|
49
|
2
|
2
|
G. As a member of the President's cabinet
|
|
Should
|
Should not
|
Depends
(vol.)
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
75
|
23
|
*
|
2
|
|
2003 May 19-21
|
79
|
19
|
*
|
2
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
75
|
21
|
2
|
2
|
|
1999 Feb 8-9
|
74
|
23
|
1
|
2
|
|
1996 Nov 21-24
|
71
|
24
|
2
|
3
|
|
1992 Jun 4-8
|
54
|
39
|
3
|
4
|
|
* Less than 0.5%
|
|
(vol.) = Volunteered response
|
Which of the following arrangements between gay or lesbian couples do you think should be recognized as legally valid -- same-sex marriages, civil unions, but not same-sex marriages, or neither same-sex marriages nor civil unions?
|
|
Same-sex
marriages
|
Civil
unions
|
Neither
|
No
opinion
|
|
|
2005 Mar 18-20 ^
|
20%
|
27
|
45
|
8
|
|
|
2004 Nov 19-21
|
21%
|
32
|
43
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
^ Asked of a half sample
|
Do you favor or oppose allowing openly gay men and lesbian women to serve in the military?
|
|
Favor
|
Oppose
|
No opinion
|
|
2004 Nov 19-21
|
63%
|
32
|
5
|
Would you favor or oppose a law that would allow homosexual couples to legally form civil unions, giving them some of the legal rights of married couples?
|
|
Favor
|
Oppose
|
No opinion
|
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2004 May 2-4
|
49
|
48
|
3
|
|
2003 Jul 25-27
|
40
|
57
|
3
|
|
2003 May 5-7
|
49
|
49
|
2
|
|
2002 May 6-9
|
46
|
51
|
3
|
|
2002 Apr 8-11
|
45
|
46
|
9
|
|
2002 Feb 8-10
|
41
|
53
|
6
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
44
|
52
|
4
|
|
2000 Oct 25-28 ^
|
42
|
54
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
^ WORDING: Suppose that on election day this year you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Please tell me whether you would vote for or against each one of the following propositions. Would you vote -- [RANDOM ORDER]? (For or against a law that would allow homosexual couples to legally form civil unions, giving them some of the legal rights of married couples)
|
Do you have any friends or relatives or co-workers who have told you, personally, that they are gay or lesbian?
|
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
2004 Jan 9-11
|
58%
|
42
|
*
|
|
2003 Jul 18-20
|
56%
|
43
|
1
|
|
* Less than 0.5%
|
Do you think people who are openly gay or homosexual should -- or should not -- be allowed to serve in the U.S. military?
|
|
Yes, should
|
No, should not
|
No opinion
|
|
2003 Dec 5-7
|
79%
|
18
|
3
|
Just your best guess, do you think that allowing two people of the same sex to legally marry will change our society for -- [ROTATED: the better, will it have no effect, or will it change our society for the worse]?
|
|
Better
|
No effect
|
Worse
|
No opinion
|
|
2003 Sep 19-21
|
10%
|
40
|
48
|
2
|
