Marriage equality gaining acceptance in opinion polls

Americans are opening their minds about gay rights, and they have become more accepting of marriage equality. According to Forbes.com, Gallup asks its survey question this way: "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? In May 44% (up from 27% when Gallup first asked the question in 1996) said they should be recognized as valid. But 53% in the new poll, (down from 68% in 1996) said they should not be. Fox News asked similar questions and found in July 2010 37%, almost double the response in 2000, said homosexuals should be allowed to marry legally, 29% supported legal partnerships, and 28% no legal recognition.

"Should homosexuality be an acceptable alternative lifestyle? Thirty-four percent said yes when Gallup asked the question for the first time in 1982. In 2008, the last time Gallup asked the question, a solid majority, 57%, answered in the affirmative.

"What about legality? In 1977 people split evenly, 43 to 43%, on whether homosexual relations between consenting adults should or should not be legal. Now 55% say they should be legal, while 40% say they should not be."