Statistics, Gay Marriage and Equal Rights

This morning, the Seattle Times published the results of a poll conducted about a week ago regards views on gay marriage rights in the state of Washington--percentages who favor or oppose them, followed by breakouts highlighting the sex, age, and political party of the respondents. The article also included the results of the latest national poll on overall support of gay marriage. The following charts show some of the results.

Folks were about evenly split in support of gay marriage west of the Cascades, but more-rural Eastern Washington was strongly against it. I'd wager that parallel can be draw between the Willamette Valley and the rest of Oregon.

The article said there was greater support for gay equal rights than there was for gay marriage, but didn't show the numbers. A majority also supported allowing gay couples to adopt children, but the numbers (again not produced) weren't as high as for equal rights. These and the demographic numbers from the charts seem to show that the concept of family matters a lot more when it comes to gay marriage than a lot of folks want to admit.

Something I've heard around here quite a bit is parents with kids saying that they don't necessarily trust the general interpretation of the numbers that show the younger a person is, the more likely that person is to support gay marriage. Many believe it's not just that the younger generation is more accepting of homosexuals, it's that most of them haven't started a family yet. Their impression is that such experience causes folks to generally become more conservative regards the best structure of a family.

The data shows that for folks from 35-54 years of age (the most likely demographic to be raising a family), the percentage of people supporting gay marriage is more than 10 percent lower than for people the groups both younger and older. I wish the survey had related some religious data to this survey, as I believe that folks raising a family are also more likely to be religious. Part of that is the stresses related to raising a family while being in the prime years to climb the job ladder, and part deals with reinforcing one's own values while imparting the values upon one's children.

The poll also showed that 38 percent of Washington residents support a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage while 55 percent oppose it, very different from national polls which indicate 59 percent support such an amendment. Obviously, the West Coast's overall views regards gay issues do not exemplify the nation as a whole.

The article goes on to cite a myriad of examples regards how the gay rights and gay marriage issues are not black and white to the public. Then it finishes with these statistics.

• Of those who say they are supporting President Bush's re-election, 82 percent say they oppose gay marriage. Among Sen. John Kerry's backers, 66 percent say they support the rights of gays and lesbians to marry. Two-thirds of Bush supporters favor a constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriages; 80 percent of Kerry supporters oppose it.

• Support for gay marriage goes up with level of education: 34 percent of those with a high-school education favor gay marriage, 40 percent of those with some college, 48 percent of those with college degrees and 62 percent of those with graduate degrees.

Folks keep looking for means to understand our society's very complex views on what equal rights are and should be for homosexuals. In one way, they have. Education matters...it can increase tolerance. Meanwhile, a vocal minority of homosexuals has abandoned patient educational efforts and is trying to force its definition of gay equal rights upon society. A number of reasonable people are getting the message... that they can't trust people who are campaigning for tolerance by being intolerant and/or unwilling to engage the public on the mertis of one's case. Process matters.

Things that harden society's views against gay equal rights hurt the majority of homosexuals...those living amongst us who feel they have to hide their sexuality. If homosexuals soon get equal rights, how many folks in the closet will be able to take advantage of them? With tolerance the way it is, only a minority of homosexuals will. Process matters.

I repeat...most gays aren't in the closet because they lack equal rights.

Comments

[James Johnson]

Hi my name is James And im gay and I love gay marriage. I have been happily married for 6 years with a 18 year old mexican school boy. He is what i have dreamed about for years.

[Jon]

GROSSSSSSSSSS!!! What's wrong with you???

[Sam]

THAT IS DESGUSTING!! An 18 year mexican for 6 years.... did you marry him when he was like 12.... you are gross! And I just want to know... how old are you? Cause yeah... your grosssssss!

[Lauren]

grosse!!! gay marriages are grosse!!!

[college grad]

Gay marriage furthers America's attempt to be understanding to different cultures.

[Chelsea]

First of all, learn how to spell 'gross.' Secondly, get a life! Just because you have your own insecurities doesn't mean you have to look up editorials on gay marriage to post hateful messages. Let me tell you, the homosexuals aren't going to read the comments of a 13 year old homophobe and be offended. To all you happily married gays out there.. Congratulations! And the best of luck to you.

[angel]

i feel that gays should be married cuz that there own right to do what eva they want with there life

[Renae]

as soon as gay marriage is approved then instead of marrying the same sex people will want to fuck and marry dogs, or as michael jackson does, marry and fuck infants..

[Haley]

i think gay marriages should be legal.. i'm writing an essay about gay marriages, and it's really making me passionate about it. homosexuals should have the same rigths as heterosexuals, why couldn't they get married, if it makes THEM happy, it's no one elses buisness.

[Callie]

i don't get why people are so mean and prevent other people from living the lives that they wanna live. I mean for all the straight people who are against it..wouldn't you be mad if it was the other way around and you were not able to like the other sex???? it doesn't effect your life so get over yourself.and for all the religious people who get all butt hurt because it is against your religion u all need to relize that you say it is against your religion and it goes against it well you are also supposed to accept everyone no matter what so you just went against your own religion...i can go on for hours at this subject but my fingers are getting hella tired..

[Pastor]

I have been watching this message board and keeping to myself about what is going on. But the last post about "Religious people who get all butt hurt" really set me off. So, for the benefit of Haley, I would like to set the record straight as to why us conservative Christians are against Gay Marriage. We are not trying to deny anyone their happiness. And we are not condemning homosexuals. We live by a standard of "Live your brother and hate their sin." I do not discriminate against homosexuals, I just believe that their lifestyle is wrong. The scriptures tell us that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of heaven; but this does not mean to hate them. Homosexuals are welcome into the church; just don't expect to be allowed to be ordained a Pastor or to be served Holy Communion in many cases.

We are against gay marriage because we believe there is a better way for these people...and that GOD can change their lifestyle.

Comments and disagreements are welcome, I can debate to the grave...

[Pastor]

I would like to retract part of my previous post. I misread the post to which I responded...so the post that I put up was in response to and to educate "Callie" and "Haley"

[Morgan]

I am strait and a christian so gay marriage isn't something I am intrested in. But, because I am a christian I belive in not judging others and I think ya'll should do the same. If you can look yourself in the mirror every day and be happy with your decisions then more power to you.

[Morgan]

In reguars to Pastor's comment, if you were relly a man of God you wouldn't jude homosexual people.

[Morgan]

*judge

[Carrie]

gay marriage is not ungodly. once upon a time it was considered ungodly for interracial couples to be married and we changed that, it is accepted now and one day gay marriage will be too. and as for pastor take your religious b/s and shove it. dont try to instill your belifis into anyone else.if god created earth and everything he must have created homosexuality so then why wouldnt they "inherit the kingdom of heaven"

[Angie]

First of all, I'm not gay, i do however support gay marriage. I feel that gay people have as much right to marriage as straight people. As for gay marriage being against god and the bible, that is not for anyone to decide. The bible contradicts itself and most of it is stories of what other people say god wants. God himself did not write the bible, therefore no one knows what his views actually are on gay marriage. Who gives people the right to judge other people? Isn't that supposedly against gods word too? Gay people should have equal rights just like everyone else. This country was founded on freedom and equal rights. Thats the way it should stay.

[kika]

I think it is hard to change a constitutional amendment. On the other hand, it is hard to pass legislation, especially legislation as sensitive as the gay marriage issue. The country is evenly split on the gay marriage issue and I think it will take time before it goes one way or another. Godliness aside, even if half the country wants gay marriage, the other half will not be happy if amendments or legislation are passed. So, I think for everyone's sake, we should just wait and see what develops. But, I think if you are on either side of the issue, it is your responsibility to fight for your cause. Arguing about it will not solve anything.

In regards to the bible, I don't know that anyone would know about it contradicting itself unless you have read the whole thing. There are so many websites that are online that say, "the bible says this, then it says this twelve chapters later." I think unless you read the bible yourself then you would have no idea. I have no idea either, but I went on some of those sites and looked up a lot of the verses in question and most of them--if you read the entire verse and the preceding and proceeding verses--either had nothing to do with each other or fit together well.

[Marcy]

I believe in equal rights, as long as gay marriage doesn't affect me I don't care...Let gay people be happy, they pay taxes just like you and me!

[meagan]

i have nothing against gay marriage. as a matter of fact, i think it should be legalized. the decision to allow gays to marry will enhance their lives, yet have no negative impact on anyone else's. it's not hurting you in any way. just let them be happy. wouldn't you want to be if you were in their shoes?

[Biff]

I don't understand what all ye'll's problem with gay marriages is...it doesn't affect you...and to the people who are convinced that it should be banned because of the bible or god or anything related to religion...a) there are a group of churches known as reconciling methodists who are open minded about gays...b) what if some one is atheist or agnostic or any otehr religion that doesn't believe in the same god as the big three (Judaism, Islam, Christianity) their marriages aren't blessed by god (i would assume)...does that mean that they're marrieage doesn't count...also, marriage was not originated with Chrisitanity...it is a legal contract...as replusive as it sounds...that it all a marriage is...a legal contract that says "I want to spend the rest of my life (theoretically) with this person and I am committed to them"...Callie states that they are not anti-gays they merely believe that there is a better way for them to live...question to Callie?...wouldn't you rather encourage homosexuals to form long lasting relationships? and since when is it the government's business to decide what laws should be passed to make us better people...the government's job should have nothing to do with morals (which is what all the arguments I have seen thus far are) it should keep to its job which is the safety of its people...peronally I have no concerns about legalizing gay marriages endangering anyone...also...if god hates homosexuals or implies that homosexuals are sinners...why did he make us like this because I assure you that being gay is no more a choice than being straight...I cannot choose to like women any more than a straight man could choose to be attracted to men...it has also been proven that there are hormonal differences in most gay males before they are born which distinguish them from straight fetuses...also...we are not the only species which practices homosexuality...the only other exampls I can think of is flies but my brain is also very tired...flies change their sexual preference based on the temperature oddly enough...please take no offense...I am gay and trying to look at this from an anti-gay perspective...there is not anger intended here...merely trying to figure out how people who are anti-gay marriage think...thank you for your time and I definitely welcome any rebuttles but please write to educate people in your modes of thinking not to bash anyone else and their beliefs...
Biff

[ken]

i am also a college student and im writing a paper for class. i have been with my partner for 5 years and we are getting married in february the most romantic month,regardless of what anyone says.i am catholic and my partner is presbyterian and we both belive in the lord and we will continue to believe but if we have to the right to believe in the lord without persecution then we have the right to our constitutional amendment which is freedom to do as we please without prosecution from the world. i welcome any replys to this messege no matter what the issue im ready and im not running away. mrwinter30@copper.net is my email address. write soon.

ken from georgia

[qweet]

ya'll need major head adjustment. In the bible it says that "men who lie with men will not inherit God's kingdom." Besides, God despises homosexual and lesbian acts. I just want you to know that i am not against gays, because i have a gay friend, but they shouldn't be allowed to marry.

[Tracey]

Dear Pastor,

YOU believe there is a better way for these people? YOU are not God and YOU don't know what God thinks, and who the heck are YOU to decide what is better for someone else? Do you want me to decide what is better for you? I think not. All bigotry is born of fear and ignorance. The desire to ban gay marriage is nothing more than bigotry. What is there for you to fear? Homosexuality is not contagious; it also can't and doesn't need to be cured. If you, as many of the "moral majority" do, profess to want to protect the institution of marriage perhaps you could affect a much larger percentage of the population by banning divorce as 50% of all marriages are expected to end in divorce. Why don't we give that a try? Since it is no longer PC to accept only those who "look like we do" it seems as if the current trend, with the radical right wing, is to at least try and get everyone to think and act the way they want them to. Read the first amendment and get over it.

[Christian]

Tracy, and all others who don't know Jesus Christ,

I am very suprised that you all don't think we humans don't know what God thinks. We do know what God thinks and how He feels on certain subjects, because He tells us in His 66 books of the Bible. Those are His words, every single one. And God did not create homosexuality, nor did He create other perversions and sins, those are all acts of Satin. I feel as though homosexuality is wrong for two reasons; God has said that it is wrong, and it is un-natural. I know that there are many cases of wild animals displaying homosexual acts, therefore all the gays say that it is natural, but let me ask you this.. have you ever seen a dog in heat hump someone's leg?? Animals have no moral concious, all they have are instincts. Homosexuality is completely un-natural and therefor I see no need for it. One last point, I am very pleased to see that the majority of Americans stood fast in their moral grounds and defeated the moral perversions of the liberals. God Bless America.