Majority of Latinos Favor Same Sex Marriage As National Support Rises
A recent Pew Research survey shows that Latinos continue to favor same-sex marriage as the Supreme Court's decision on marriage equality approaches. Overall, support for same-sex marriage has increased among all demographics.
The report, released on Monday, June 8, revealed around 56 percent of Latinos favor same-sex marriage. Support has increased in a short amount of time -- just nine years ago only 45 percent were in favor -- and Latinos remain just behind whites on favorability of same-sex marriage. They also remain one point behind the overall majority of Americans who favor same-sex marriage.
Fifty-nine percent of white people favor same-sex marriage while 41 percent of blacks do. All of these groups have seen increases; however, the majority of black people, around 51 percent, continue to oppose gay marriage.
Despite the opinions of those interviewed, which were 2,002 people of all ages, racial backgrounds and political affiliations, a great majority of Americans, 72 percent, believe same-sex marriage is "inevitable." Among political lines, these numbers remain the same with 72 percent of Republicans and Democrats agreeing that same sex marriage is inevitable. A slightly larger 74 percent of Independents believed the same.
With the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage later this month, the new poll data shows the majority of Americans are ready for marriage equality. The Supreme Court is deciding on a case brought forth by Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. These state's constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage were overturned; however, they seek a decision from the Supreme Court. In 2013, the justices struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), leaving the states vulnerable to lawsuits.
There are now 36 states and the District of Columbia that allow same-sex marriage. The downfall of DOMA also allowed for married same-sex couples to receive the same benefits as married opposite-sex couples.
Although the majority of the backlash stems from religious people, the Pew Research report shows those who follow the largest denominations tend to support same-sex marriage. Around 56 percent of Catholics favor it as well as 62 percent of mainstream Protestants. Those who identify as white evangelicals and black Protestants, however, oppose it by 27 and 33 percent, respectively.
It is also worth noting that, though their numbers are dwindling, Latinos still made up 55 percent of Catholics in the U.S. in 2013.
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