Change In My Lifetime

Real change takes a long time and a lot of hard work. No one has worked harder for change than LGBT activists and it’s paid off. Bill Clinton signed DADT (remember this was considered a step forward at the time) and DOMA. In 2004, Republicans were putting anti-marriage equality laws on the ballot to boost the turnout of evangelical voters and deliver wins for George W. Bush. Just a few years ago both Maine and California saw marriage equality go down to narrow defeat in voter referendums. In 2011, however, marriage equality (not just civil unions) got majority support nationwide for the first time ever in multiple polls. A new poll of party insiders shows just how much things have changed in a few short years.

Democratic political operatives overwhelmingly say the time has come for gay marriage, while a majority of Republicans now believe they should just avoid this issue, according to this week’s National Journal Political Insiders Poll. Both positions represent significant gains for gay marriage compared to two years ago, when the same question was asked in the wake of the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.

After New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo pushed through a gay marriage law in the Empire State last month there is now very little reluctance among Democratic Insiders to see their party embrace the idea.

Which statement comes closest to your political views on gay marriage?
Democrats
…………………………………………July 2011….April 2009
My party should support it…………84%………….59%
My party should oppose it…………..1%……………2%
My party should avoid the issue…14%………….32%
Other (volunteered)…………………….1%*………….7%
*Also receiving votes: My party should move gradually towards support, 1%.

At the same time, less than a third of the Republican Insiders think their party should oppose gay marriage, a position that’s been enshrined in the party’s national platform.

Which statement comes closest to your political views on gay marriage?
Republicans
………………………………………….July 2011…….April 2009
My party should support it…………14%……………..8%
My party should oppose it………….30%……………50%
My party should avoid the issue….56%…………..37%
Other (volunteered)…………………….0%…………….6%

Many Democrats believe that gay marriage is not only “the right thing to do,” but that it is also no longer a wedge issue that cripples the party. “The country is moving quickly toward acceptance of gay marriage,” observed one Democratic Insider. “There is no need to hang back and expect civil unions to provide cover.”

Democrats also felt that support for gay marriage would solidify the party’s grip on younger voters. “It’s this generation’s civil rights movement,” exclaimed one Democratic Insider. “It’s a huge demographic opportunity for Democrats because almost every voter under 30 supports it,” said another.”

That’s a 20% turnaround in both parties in 2 short years. It’s pretty remarkable when you think about it. I’ve read before that social change is slow, until it isn’t anymore. The transitions can often be very, very fast. I wasn’t sure I believed it until now. It’s thrilling to watch it happen in my lifetime. We are only at the beginning of the big change.