When the
Defense of Marriage Act was signed in 1996, only 25% of the American public supported same-sex marriage; support has increased gradually ever since. An August 2010
CNN poll became the first national poll to show majority support for same-sex marriage,[SUP]
[2][/SUP] with numerous polls after it showing majority support.[SUP]
[3][/SUP][SUP]
[4][/SUP][SUP]
[5][/SUP][SUP]
[6][/SUP]
Support for same-sex marriage generally correlates with lack of religious fundamentalism, young age,[SUP]
[7][/SUP]
Democratic Party affiliation, and residence in the
Northeast and
West Coast of the United States.[SUP]
[8][/SUP] Women are also more likely to be in support than men.[SUP]
[4][/SUP]
Opposition to same-sex marriage is generally correlated with fundamental religious belief, older age, Republican Party affiliation, and residence in the South and Midwest.[SUP]
[9][/SUP][SUP]
[8][/SUP]
At the state level, polls show majority support in the
Northeast and
West Coast, and majority opposition in the
Midwest and
South.[SUP]
[10][/SUP] California's
Proposition 8, passed 52%-48% by voters after a controversial campaign in 2008, has been declared unconstitutional by two federal courts but remains in litigation;[SUP]
[11][/SUP] polling in 2012 shows 59% of California voters approve of same-sex marriage.[SUP]
[12][/SUP]