The Evolving Opinion On Marriage Equality

[Dissant Machine Empire]

It is evident in polls, in votes, and in popular culture that marriage equality is being more accepted, but this was not always the case. Only 10 years ago, it was the opposite, with very little support marriage equality. Obviously people changed their minds, and that is my question to you nationstates.
Have you always supported marriage equality?
If not, when and why did your opinion change?
Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?

[Mike the Progressive]

No, I have not. When I was younger (around 12, 13), I was interested in politics and history (and girls), and opposed gay marriage. Strangely enough, I was a borderline socialist. I saw it as breaking up any chance of another "New Deal" coalition stretching across the land as civil rights did before. I also opposed it for religious reasons. In any case, that changed as a freshman in high school when taking a theology course we learned about secularism and humanism, that latter of which I was very drawn too. A year after I began examining my beliefs and realized that aside from the bible, there was no good argument against same-sex marriage. And so I became a supporter of it.

As to why America's views are shifting so fast, I give three explanations: greater exposure via media, face to face, etc; a declining degree of religiosity; and maybe just maybe some empathy.

[Hathradic States]

Have you always supported marriage equality?
No.

If not, when and why did your opinion change?
Stopped caring what other people do.

Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?
My money is on propaganda.

[Pillea]

Have you always supported marriage equality?

I have, from the day I started caring at all about politics sometime in the early Clinton administration, I've supported same sex marriage.

Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?

A mix of advocacy groups, personal relationships with those affected, and of course the infamous GAY AGENDA.

[Nadkor]

Have you always supported marriage equality?

Yes.

Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?

Closet cases deciding that they want in on the fun?

[Neutraligon]

Have you always supported marriage equality?

Yes

Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?

Mainly because more and more homosexuals are coming out of the closet, and more and more people realize they know people who are homosexual. So they learn that homosexuals are people just like them, and stop being so scared of the idea. At the same time, LGBT* are working very hard to get out the message.

[Transhuman Proteus]

Have you always supported marriage equality?

Yes.

Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?

A whole raft of reasons.

More, better access to information to convey arguments and constantly show how the anti-marriage equality lobbies arguments are weak. Seriously, if some cardinal wants to debate marriage equality on TV and the best arguments he can come up with are religious or tradition based their side is in trouble.

More visible out and proud LGBT who non-LGBT people can associate and empathize with and understand as "they're just like us, so why not?" The human face of the debate, as it were.

Well organized and motivated advocates who keep making the issue known and making convincing arguments why it should happen (connected with part one). Plus the celebrity factor - popular icons like Ellen, Elton etc, and we even have songs supporting it coming out in areas where you'd least expect it, like R&B & rap with guys like Mackelmore. Celebrity does influence.

The fact the nations that have allowed it haven't gone screaming down the slippery slope the anti-marriage equality lobby predicted. No cases of governments making it legal for men to marry 12 puppies, no collapse of the fabric of society.

The fact many of us live in an age where individual rights are greater than they've ever been.

[Distruzio]

A pickle. I believe gov't has no place in marriage, but, as my ideal does not exist and gov't does in fact regulate marriage, then I find myself favoring the extension of marriage rights to all. This does not, however, mean that I favor marriage 'equality.' I only acknowledge that my anti-egalitarian stance is incredibly unpopular here in the US and see the only resolution to the issue that best emphasizes the greatest degree of individual sovereignty possible within a statist society falling upon the State, and the gov't that represents it (whatever form that may take) extending said rights.

An anarchist I may be, but ignorant of reality I am not. This has ever been my position.

As for the shift in American social perspectives on the matter, it hasn't been a quick transition at all. This latest go 'round is merely the continuation of a long battle in which minorities within a "democratic" nation seek to make their voices heard against the majority.

[Ostroeuropa]

Have you always supported marriage equality?
Yes.

Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?
Sexually repressive people havn't changed their position. They've started pretending they have so they can move onto a new issue and pretend they are "progressive." my money is on pornography as usual. They'll be back in a few decades denouncing the gays and saying porn is ok. Really, they want everyone to be having no sex at all except the type they are comfortable with.

[Grenartia]

It is evident in polls, in votes, and in popular culture that marriage equality is being more accepted, but this was not always the case. Only 10 years ago, it was the opposite, with very little support marriage equality. Obviously people changed their minds, and that is my question to you nationstates.
Have you always supported marriage equality?
If not, when and why did your opinion change?
Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?

Not always. But back when I didn't, I was an 8 year-old snot-nosed little douchebag. A decade later, as I have matured, so has my stance on this issue. By the time I realized I was LGBT, I had fully supported marriage equality for several months.

[Condunum]

Have you always supported marriage equality?
No. For quite some time, I was against it. Even after I realized I'm bisexual

If not, when and why did your opinion change?
Around 2010 is when I changed my position. I moved to a much more rural area, and realized just where the anti-gay movement's people were coming from, and I wanted no part of it.

Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?
Education.

[Cannot think of a name]

Have you always supported marriage equality?
Well, in so much as I knew it was an issue. I can't say that it even occurred to me as a problem for pretty much all of my early life. As soon as I realized the question existed I was for it, didn't need convincing or anything like that, just "Hey, do you think gays and lesbians and shit should be able to marry?" "I don't see why not."

Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?
I don't know, the same amateur sociology reasoning everyone else is giving.

[Oooghka]

Only 10 years ago, it was the opposite, with very little support marriage equality.

It's been legal here for the last twelve years though.

[Radiatia]

Opinions don't evolve, they're created by god.

---

Okay seriously.

Have you always supported marriage equality?

Yes.

If not, when and why did your opinion change?

N/A

Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?

I'd hardly call several hundred years "fast".

I live in a country where gay marriage will likely be legalised in the next month, with the bill going through parliament with nearly 70% support from MPs.

I don't know why people are only now supporting it, presumably it's because we live in an age of information, as opposed to an age of misinformation as spread by religious groups? I don't know, I'm just guessing though. The whole thing is fucking bizarre to me.

[Condunum]

Opinions don't evolve, they're created by god.

If I didn't know you, I would headdesk.

Nevertheless, I stared at your post for a moment trying to determine what you could mean by that. I can't think of anything.

[Radiatia]

Opinions don't evolve, they're created by god.

If I didn't know you, I would headdesk.

Nevertheless, I stared at your post for a moment trying to determine what you could mean by that. I can't think of anything.

Hahahaha. Sorry that was my first reaction when I saw the thread title with the words "evolve" and "marriage equality" in the same sentence.

[Condunum]

If I didn't know you, I would headdesk.

Nevertheless, I stared at your post for a moment trying to determine what you could mean by that. I can't think of anything.

Hahahaha. Sorry that was my first reaction when I saw the thread title with the words "evolve" and "marriage equality" in the same sentence.

Oh now I get it!
Clever!

[Ksclve]

I don't care, marriage is outdated anyway

[Hrokr]

Have you always supported marriage equality?
Not really.

If not, when and why did your opinion change?
I didn't really think about it for awhile, since I'd just repeat everything that came out of my parents' mouths. Then I realized arguments against gay marriage devolved into "well God said so."

Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?
Easily accessible information? I don't know.

[Benuty]

I don't care, marriage is outdated anyway

Yes we should totally start having a sexual mating season like the animal world. Or have a loose association where your paired with one mate but can have sex with as many people as you want.

[Ksclve]

I don't care, marriage is outdated anyway

Yes we should totally start having a sexual mating season like the animal world. Or have a loose association where your paired with one mate but can have sex with as many people as you want.

Sounds ok to me.

[Lyassa and Nairoa]

Have you always supported marriage equality?

Never have, never will. But it doesn´t mean I fail to respect people who do.

If not, when and why did your opinion change?

It didn´t. It´s just that I can´t - don´t even consider it - go against the course of changing History. History and society move on with or without me. I certainly won´t...stonewall marriage equality.

Why do you think society's position on marriage equality is shifting so fast?

It´s been shifting since the cultural/political (leftist) and sexual revolution of the 1960s.

*edited, spelling

[Oooghka]

I certainly won´t...stonewall marriage equality.

Ignoring the rest of your post, this is a pretty clever pun.

[Hrokr]

I don't care, marriage is outdated anyway

Yes we should totally start having a sexual mating season like the animal world. Or have a loose association where your paired with one mate but can have sex with as many people as you want.

A year-round sexual mating season.

[Nalice]

Have you always supported marriage equality?

Never have, never will. But it doesn´t meaning I fail to respect people who do.

You just contradicted yourself. I respect you, but you don't deserve the same rights as I do.