CNN Poll: Generational gap on gay marriage, 58% of 18-34 year olds support.

[jefferson_dem]

CNN Poll: Generational gap on gay marriage
Posted: 04:22 PM ET

From CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser

New Three states, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa, currently allow same-sex marriages.
(CNN) – A new national poll suggests that a majority of Americans oppose legalizing same sex marriages — but there's a vast generational divide on the issue.

Fifty-four percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Monday say that marriages between gay or lesbian couples should not be recognized as valid, with 44 percent suggests they should be considered legal.

Among those 18 to 34 years old, 58 percent said same-sex marriages should be legal. That number drops to 42 percent among respondents 35 to 49 years old, and to 41 percent for those 50 to 64 years of age. The poll indicates that only 24 percent of Americans 65 and older support recognizing same-sex marriages as valid.

While a majority of those polled oppose legalizing gay marriage, 6 out of 10 feel that states that do not recognize gay marriages allow civil unions. When it comes to supporting civil unions, the poll indicates a similar generational shift.

Three states, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa, currently allow same-sex marriages. A law passed by Vermont law makers that makes gay and lesbian marriages legal takes effect in the state later this year. Lawmakers in Maine and New Hampshire are close to passing a similar bill.

"It's not surprising that three Northeastern states are the first to take this step," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "A majority of people who live in the Northeast say they approve of same-sex marriage. Solid majorities in the South, Midwest and West all oppose gay marriage."

Forty-nine percent of those questioned say they have a family member or close friend who is gay. That's up eight points from 1998 and up 17 points from 1992. Fifty-eight percent of those ages 18 to 34 say they have a family member or close friend who's gay. That drops to just one in three of people 65 or older.

<SNIP>

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/04/cnn-poll-generational-gap-on-gay-marriage/

[Arugula Latte]

1. Another winning issue for the Republicans to build their future on ...

Not.

[RoadRage]

2. Less then 10 years

and that number will be above 50% for all voters. Older Americans are meeting gay people and changing their opinions. Younger Americans already have woken up to realize the stupidity of keeping one class of citizens below everyone else.

But, the Bible Thumping Republicans who are all for small government except for when they want to come into your bedroom or your doctors office (abortion)... seem to think they will grow their party and make the tent bigger by continuing to do this.

Shhhhhhh.. don't tell them they're idiots. If they think this is the "way of the future" it only bodes well for Democrats.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

3. That's still to small for me. 58%? It should be higher for that age group. n/t

[pnwmom]

11. I would have thought it would be higher, too. n/t

[ShadowLiberal]

12. I agree, I thought most polls showed 2/3's of people 30 and under supported gay marriage

Maybe it's partially because of the poll grouping 31 to 34 year olds with him, that probably brings it down a few points, but certainly not enough for just 58% to support gay marriage.

I come from a family with 3 kids, and both me and my younger brother support gay marriage, and he considers himself a republican to.

[MadBadger]

13. 18-29 is usually the "Young" demographic. Those numbers are probably higher.

[Jennicut]

4. My parents and I clash on this all the time. I am 33, they are 61.

They are totally against gay marriage though starting to come around on civil unions. The best thing to come from this is that one day the younger people will be in charge and will change the way gays are treated. We are more open minded then our parents.

[bluestateguy]

5. Tic toc tic toc tic tock

Every day more of those homophobic old farts croak...and we move a little closer to marital equality.

[chocolate ink]

6. generational gap?

In defense of all of us 'old' folks....I've always been for equal rights which of course includes marriage for everyone. Many people I know my age also feel that way while many young people I know are against gay marriage. Then again I live in a very very red part of California and a good number of kids are brought up to believe it's wrong.

I do agree though that the cultural trend is becoming more equal rights oriented for gay marriage and it's way past time for it.

[NorthCarolina]

16. My 89 yo mother is totally in favor of equal rights for all, including LGBT

So there are some of the older generation that "get it".

[democrattotheend]

7. I'm surprised it's only 58% of 18-34's

I guess people in their early 30's may be different from people my age (25) on this. When I was in college even the Republicans I knew were a lot more tolerant of gays than their party. Not all of them supported gay marriage, but most at least supported civil unions and employment non-discrimination laws.

[DrToast]

10. Other polls have been higher.*

*

[stevenleser]

8. Yes, and this is part of the reasoning that went into this article of mine

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Republican-Party-and-its-u-by-Steven-Leser-090427-952.html

along with the data from the research of the GOP electorate.

This is going to rend the Republican Party to pieces in the next 10-15 years.

[Arkana]

9. Within the next 20 years, gay marriage will be legal everywhere.

It may even be a federal thing by then because all the old bigoted fucks that are against it will be dead.

[ShadowLiberal]

14. Sooner, at it's current growth rate by 2012 as many who oppose abortion will support gay marriage

Abortion poll numbers have been stuck for decades with 50% supporting it (at times it goes slightly under 50, at times it's slightly over 50), and the low 40's opposing it.

By 2016 if the growth rate continues we'll be a nation divided almost 50/50 on the gay marriage question. It won't be long after that until politicians start to see the writing on the wall and realize how much long term damage they're doing to themselves by sticking with the intolerant position. As a young person I can tell you that the GOP is definitely doing a lot of damage to itself by using gay marriage as a wedge issue.

I don't see how it'll take as long as 20 years for gay marriage in all of America to become a reality, the numbers say we can do it in around 15 years. A politician running on an antiGay campaign won't be able to get elected president in 2020, that'll leave the senate as the last real barrier to gay marriage.

[supernova]

15. Dissapointed only 40% of people in the 40+

age group support gay marriage. It should be higher.

[ruggerson]

17. The new Wash Post poll shows a majority, for the first time, supports marriage equality

whether that poll or this one is correct, it's moving rapidly in the right direction.

[BlooInBloo]

18. Yup. The bigots have already lost. They're just too stupid to realize it...

EDIT: Waiting for them to die, while inhibiting their reproduction rate has always been the most effective method of dealing with them. No different here.

[SpartanDem]

19. The GOP is on the wrong side of history as usual