Attitudes Toward Gay Marriage in States Undergoing Marriage Law Transformation

Abstract

This study examines attitudes toward gay marriage within the context of concern over the weakening of heterosexual marriage. We use data from a three‐state survey conducted in 1998 – 2000 and designed to explore attitudes toward marriage and divorce reform (N = 976). We find that women, Whites, and younger persons are more approving of gay marriage than men, Blacks, and older persons. Nonparents with cohabitation experience are most approving, whereas parents with no cohabitation experience are most opposed. Heterosexual marriage preservation attitudes are key predictors, net of religiosity and political conservativism. We interpret these findings with theories about vested interest in upholding marriage as an institution and ambivalence resulting from conflicting core values of the sanctity of marriage versus the valorization of individualism.

Examining the Nuance in Public Opinion of Pro-LGB Policies in a “Red State”

“…Consistently, scholarship indicates that women, higher educated people, non-religious individuals, younger generations, and political liberals are more likely to support pro-LGB policies than men, lower educated people, religious individuals, older generations, and political conservatives (Brumbaugh et al 2008;Haider-Markel and Joslyn 2008;Lewis 2011;Lewis and Gossett 2008;Olson et al 2006;Pearl and Galupo 2007;Pew Research 2013a, 2013b, 2014aRowatt et al 2009;Sherkat et al 2010;Whitehead 2010;Swank et al 2013;Woodford et al 2012). Particularly relevant to the current analyses, scholars have also pointed to regional differences to explain variation in support of pro-LGB policies.…”

“…Yet such support and acceptance is higher among certain segments of the population than others (Hopkins et al 2013;Moore and Stambolis-Ruhstorfer 2013;Seidman 2002). Studies show that younger people, women, non-religious, and those who know an LGB person support pro-LGB policies at higher levels than other groups (Brumbaugh et al 2008;Haider-Markel and Joslyn 2008;Lewis 2011;Lewis and Gossett 2008;Olson et al 2006;Pearl and Galupo 2007;Rowatt et al 2009;Sherkat et al 2010;Swank et al 2013;Whitehead 2010;Woodford et al 2012).…”

Backlash or a Positive Response?: Public Opinion of LGB Issues After Obergefell v. Hodges

“…Public opinion studies, however, show that levels of support vary among demographic, political, and religious groups (Baunach, 9 2012;Lewis, 2003;Olson, Cadge, and Harrison, 2006;Pew Research, 2013a;Powell, Yurk Quadlin, and Pizmony-Levy, 2015). Consistently, studies find that women, higher educated people, non-religious individuals, younger generations, and political liberals support same-sex marriage at higher levels than men, lower educated people, religious individuals, older generations, and political conservatives (Andersen and Fetner, 2008;Brumbaugh et al, 2008;Galupo and Pearl, 2007;Haider-Markel andJoslyn, 2005, 2008;Kreitzer, Hamilton, and Tolbert, 2014;Lewis, 2011;Lewis and Gossett, 2008;McCarthy, 2015McCarthy, , 2014Sherkat, de Vries, and Creek, 2010;Whitehead, 2010;Woodford et al, 2012). Also, work has shown that heterosexual people who report having a personal connection to gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals are more likely to have a positive attitude towards gay rights (Fetner, 2016;Herek, 2002;Herek & Capitanio, 1996).…”

Attitudes Towards Same-Sex Marriage in Portugal: Predictors and Scale Validation

“…Lubbers, Jaspers, and Ultee (2009) found that the religiosity of the respondents' parents, as well as their attitudes towards homosexuality, are the strongest determinants of attitudes towards same-sex marriage. Evidence of the importance of religion consistently appears in the literature on attitudes towards same-7 sex marriage, especially when taking into consideration religiosity and church attendance (Brumbaugh, Sanchez, Nock, & Wright, 2008;Pearl, & Galupo, 2007;Schwartz, 2010;Sherkat et al, 2011;Walls, 2010).Other studies identify socio-demographic factors that account for attitudes toward same-sex marriage, such as age and political positioning. For instance, the more elderly or politically right wing respondents (Lewis, & Gossett, 2008) or reporting high levels of transphobia/genderism or traditional heterosexism (Moskowitz, Rieger, & Roloff, 2010) display more negative attitudes towards same-sex marriage.…”

“…Therefore it seemed useful to undertake studies on attitudes concerning samesex marriage at the time of its inception in Portuguese society. sex marriage, especially when taking into consideration religiosity and church attendance (Brumbaugh, Sanchez, Nock, & Wright, 2008;Pearl, & Galupo, 2007;Schwartz, 2010;Sherkat et al, 2011;Walls, 2010).…”