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Poll: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage Falling Across the Board

Written by Bob Bernick on 21 October 2014. Posted in Today At Utah Policy

In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that made same-sex marriages legal in Utah, some key groups’ opposition to gay marriage has softened – although the groups are still opposed to the practice.

And, perhaps more important for gay rights leaders, the chance that a statewide law banning discrimination in housing and employment for gays and lesbians is gaining critical support, a new UtahPolicy poll finds.
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The first year Urquhart’s bill got out of a Senate committee, but was never debated on the floor, and died.

Last year GOP senators decided in a closed caucus not to hear any gay rights bills at all, with members saying they wanted to wait until an appeal on Utah’s same-sex marriage ban was heard by the Supreme Court.

Well, a month ago the high court refused to hear any same-sex marriage appeals this term, letting stand a number of federal appellate court decisions striking down state anti-same-sex marriage laws, Utah’s Amendment 3 being one of them.

-- Jones finds that even though Utah Republican rank-and-file still oppose same-sex marriage – that opposition is falling.

In August 87 percent of Republicans opposed same-sex marriage. Now that number is 81 percent.

Only 14 percent of Republicans – who are by far Utah’s majority party – support same-sex marriage.

So don’t expect a pro-same-sex marriage law to pass any time soon in the Utah Legislature.

-- Jones found an amazing shift in attitude – even when considering the poll’s margin of error – among those who say they are political independents, belonging to no party.

Back in August, Jones found that independents opposed same-sex marriage, 54-31 percent.

But in last week’s poll, independents have flipped – no doubt because of the high court’s ruling -- 51 percent now support same-sex marriage, 44 percent oppose.

Democrats have always overwhelmingly supported same-sex marriage, various statewide polls over the years have shown.

-- Urquhart said he’s pleased with other demographic findings in the new UtahPolicy poll.