Two-thirds of Democrats now support marriage equality

Reports that the Democratic Party may add supportfor marriage equality to its party platform are in keeping with a significant shift of opinion on the issue among Democrats nationwide, as support for same-sex marriage among Democrats continues to increase.

Just four years ago, in 2008, only half (50%) of Democrats favored allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally, while 42% were opposed. Support for gay marriage among Democrats has jumped to 65 percent today, more than double the percentage that is opposed (29 percent).

According to the latest national survey by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, partisan divide over marriage equality continues to widen.Among Republicans, only 24 percent now favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally, which is only slightly higher than the percentage of Republicans who supported gay marriage in 2008 (19 percent). Independent support for gay marriage has grown substantially since 2008. More independents today (51 percent) favor than oppose (40 percent) same-sex marriage; four years ago independents were divided evenly (44 percent favor, 45 percent oppose).  Read More