Record partisan divide on same-sex marriage 10 years after ruling
It has been a decade since the Supreme Court’s landmark decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges. The ruling marked a significant milestone in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, with more than three-quarters of a million same-sex couples now legally married in the United States.
According to recent national polling, support for same-sex marriage remains strong, with 68% of American adults backing the high court’s decision. However, there is a growing partisan divide on the issue, with Democrats overwhelmingly in favor (88%) while Republican support has dropped to 41%, the lowest point since 2016.
In addition to support for same-sex marriage, attitudes towards gay and lesbian relationships have also shifted. Sixty-four percent of Americans view these relationships as morally acceptable, down from a high of 71% three years ago. Democrats and independents continue to show high levels of acceptance, while only 38% of Republicans believe gay or lesbian relationships are morally acceptable.
This widening partisan gap comes as some conservatives are calling for the Supreme Court to reconsider the Obergefell ruling. Justice Clarence Thomas recently expressed the need to revisit past decisions, including the legalization of same-sex marriage. Conservative lawmakers in several states have introduced resolutions urging the court to overturn the 2015 decision.
In a significant move, the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest protestant denomination in the country, adopted a resolution seeking to overturn the ruling on same-sex marriage. This highlights the ongoing debate and division within the nation regarding LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality.
As we reflect on the progress made in the past decade, it is clear that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over. While support for same-sex marriage remains strong among a majority of Americans, the partisan divide underscores the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.
