Abstract
This essay offers a brief history of homosexuals’ rights in the United States, explains why same-sex marriage is the ultimate civil right for sexually marginalized persons, reviews prior public opinion research on attitudes toward homosexuals, and disentangles predictors of support for same-sex marriage. Consistent with prior research, we find greater support for same-sex marriage among Democrats, liberals, young people, more educated people, non-Blacks, and women. Contrary to expectations, we do not find that increased contact with homosexuals improves support for marriage equality. We explain these results and offer recommendations for future research at the nexus of race, age cohort, education, and religious affiliation.
Thanks to Professors Jiannbin Shiao and Robert O’Brien in the University of Oregon Sociology Department, Luis Sandoval in the University of Oregon Social Science Instructional Laboratory, and Andrew Schwartz for comments and assistance.
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Gwartney, P.A., Schwartz, D.S. (2016). You May Kiss the Groom: Americans’ Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage. In: Machin, A., Stehr, N. (eds) Understanding Inequality: Social Costs and Benefits. zu | schriften der Zeppelin Universität. zwischen Wirtschaft, Kultur und Politik. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-11663-7_7
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