65% of Americans Support Legal Recognition of Gay Unions

That's the result of a new Public Policy Poll in which people were asked their opinion of marriage equality and civil unions. You can read detailed results on Daily Kos.  There is a lot of interesting information in the break-down.  55% of over 65ers support either marriage or civil unions.  Of course, younger people are even more likely to be supportive with 65% of those 18-29 supporting marriage or civil unions. 

77% of Democrats support legal recognition as do 71% of independents.  Where do you not find majority support?  Republicans, conservatives, and those who identify as Tea Party.  Republican support is at 46%, conservative support is at 40%, and Tea Party support is at 47%.  Notice how the Tea Party and Republican results are essentially the same?  The idea that the Tea Party is all about fiscal responsibility and not about social issues is a myth.  The Tea Party is the Republican party with a new marketing gimmick.

Speaking of myths, there's been a persistent one that African-Americans and Latinos don't support legal recognition of our relationships as strongly as whites.  This is apparently not true.  White support is at 63%, African-American support is at 62%, and Latino support is at a whopping 79%. 

It's only been a few years since civil unions came to Vermont and it was considered a radical, shocking idea by many.  Now, it's the moderate position that enjoys wide support.  Marriage was considered unthinkable by all but a tiny minority of Americans.  Today, support is strong and steadily growing.  If we don't get a favorable Supreme Court ruling and and we have to continue to slog it out state by state, I give it 20 years before Alabama becomes the 50th state to recognize marriage equality.