Equality California Releases Report on “Moving Marriage Forward”
Our nation is engaged in a crucial conversation about why marriage matters. More than 100 million Americans now live in jurisdictions that provide the freedom to marry or some other measure of recognition for same-sex couples and their loved ones. That’s up from virtually zero just a decade ago. Public support for the freedom to marry continues to grow, with polls now consistently showing majority support among parts of the public and in several states, and near majority support nationwide.
Even though momentum is on the side of the freedom to marry, we know there is still much work to do. Only five states and the District of Columbia have ended exclusion from marriage. Losses at the ballot in California and Maine, however temporary, as well as the ongoing national debate, make it clear that many people are still wrestling with the idea of fairness for all families.
About 20 to 40 percent of people nationwide continue to waver in their position on marriage. These friends and neighbors – even family members – are good and fair people. They have deeply held beliefs, as well as some internal conflicts and real uncertainties, about gay people and marriage. Answering the sincere questions of this group of people – helping them push past discomfort and resolve their conflicts – is the key to meeting Freedom to Marry’s goal of securing majority support for marriage. How can we each personally and most effectively have the conversations that help more people rise to fairness?
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