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New CNN Poll: Americans Support Marriage Equality More Than Ever (But Still Believe In "Ex Gays") |
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Written by Instinct Staff |
Wednesday, 06 June 2012
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| Tags: cnn, orc, new poll, americans, voters, surveys, support, marriage equality, majority, same sex, know, close, friend, gay, lgbt, ex gay, change sexual orientation, conversion therapy |
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A new poll from CNN/ORC provides great news (the highest majority of Americans yet are in favor of marriage equality) before reminding us we still have plenty of work ahead (a large majority still believes that gays can turn straight). The bittersweet details follow.
According to the poll, 54 percent of Americans now support marriage equality, compared to 42 percent who consider themselves opposed. The numbers of folks who feel strongly about each side amounts to roughly two-thirds of the aforementioned numbers.
Since the last time CNN conducted this poll in 2010, the number of folks who believe that gay people can change their sexual orientation has only dropped two points to 34 percent. Still, survey takers are taking a glass is half full approach to the statistic.
"Attitudes toward sexual orientation have also changed over that same time period," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "In 1998, a majority believed that someone who is gay or lesbian could change their sexual orientation if they choose to do so. Today, only a third feel that way, and the number who say that gays and lesbians cannot change their orientation is almost six in ten. Those shifts probably explain the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage."
Also of note: the number of Americans who report knowing someone who is LGBT has skyrocketed from 49 percent in 2010 to 60 percent in 2012, marking the highest number CNN has reported on that question.
(Source and image: CNN)
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