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Plurality Of Americans Support Same-Sex Marriage

22 July 2011
by Bridgette P. LaVictoire

A poll conducted by Harris Interactive has found that more than half- 53%- of Americans feel that without regards to their personal views on same-sex marriage, marriages granted in one state should be recognized as legal in all other states. This view is in line with the Constitution of the United States of America. Additionally, the poll found that 49% of Americans support marriage equality while only 41% oppose. The online survey of 2,397 US adults with only 358 LGBT individuals participating was conducted between 11 July and 18 July 2011.

The survey also discussed with the small number of LGBT individuals about their choice to live and work. What they found is that 46% of lesbian and gay adults would “consider changing jobs if my employer required me to transfer to a state where same-sex marriages were not recognized. 48% of LGBT respondents would decline a promotion if it meant going to a state without marriage equality. 78% of lesbians and gays said that “other factors being equal, I would prefer a job with an employer in a state where same-sex marriages are recognized over an employer in a state that does not recognize same-sex marriage.

Bob Witeck, the CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications said

“According to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, there now are between 50,000 to 80,000 legally married same-sex couples in the U.S. And with the historic new law in New York making marriage equality official this weekend; hundreds more will soon join them.”

“These strong trends are truly shaping America’s attitudes towards and understanding of same-sex couples and LGBT families in familiar and very reassuring ways. However, there also is an emerging economic and business impact here that begs attention – as many of these LGBT families act on their instincts to favor gay-welcoming states and employers found in progressive legal climates.”

Here is the breakdown of the rest of the results:

Two-thirds or 65% of LGBT adults say “more gays and lesbians will move their families to states where marriage for same-sex couples is permitted.” Over half (52%) of heterosexual adults agree.
Three-fourths (75%) of LGBT adults say “over time, same-sex couples will be able to marry anywhere in the United States, and nearly half (46%) of all heterosexuals concur.
Two-thirds (66%) of LGBT adults believe that “states that permit same-sex couples to marry will benefit economically more than other states, while over one-quarter (27%) of heterosexuals agree.
And when asked whether a “Constitutional Amendment to limit marriages of same-sex couples or to prevent same-sex couples from marrying” will be passed, only 8% of heterosexuals agreed along with 12% of LGBT adults.

The survey does back up the statements of many businesses about the difficulty of getting qualified workers because of anti-LGBT laws in a variety of states.