Gallup poll finds that majority of older Americans support marriage equality

by Austin Stallings
Journalism Intern

A new Gallup poll shows that a majority of older Americans now support marriage equality.

Fifty-three percent of Americans 65 and older say same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages, according to a new Gallup poll released Thursday. That’s up from 42 percent in January 2014 and just 14 percent in January 1996.

These statistics come as a shock as older Americans tend to have more of a conservative outlook. The most supportive group is young adults at 83 percent, which does not come as a shock.

The public opinion has shifted drastically on marriage equality. Back in 1996, just 33 percent of Democrats and 16 percent of Republicans believed same-sex marriages should be considered valid, according to Gallup. Now, support among the Democrats is at 79 percent and at 40 percent for Republicans.

Overall support today is at 61 percent, with opposition at 37 percent. In 1996 the numbers were essentially flipped, with support at 27 percent and opposition at 68 percent.

The latest Gallup poll surveyed 1,025 adults from May 4 to May 8, with a margin of error for the full sample of plus or minus four percentage points.

The Gayly- 5/19/2016 @ 2:45 p.m. CDT