Attitudes shifting on gays
It may have been only a matter of time, but time is picking up speed.
After little significant change between 2004 and 2008, the latest Gallup poll shows American attitudes about sexual orientation are shifting more rapidly, and more favorably. That includes Idaho, if Boise's new ordinance is any indication.
The repeated nationwide Gallup/USA Today poll asks:
"Should marriages between same sex couples be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?"
In 2004 the percentage who answered "yes" inched above 40. In 2008, it had dropped to right at 40 percent. But this year it increased to 53 percent of Americans. Thirty-six percent also said their views on the subject had changed significantly over their lifetimes (71 percent of those now support it). Fifty-one percent of those polled believe that one day, America will reach consensus on the issue.
Is the increase a symptom or effect of official inclusion? Maybe history will broaden perspectives, but the slew of states approving anti-discrimination and gay marriage/civil union laws undoubtedly have some influence on culture. Perhaps so did history's first very public, pro-gay rights pronouncement in May 2012 by a U.S. president.
Did he bring compassion out of the closet? Is he leading a cause, or did he just reflect what was already well under way? At minimum he brought discussion to the national front lines.
Idaho is coming out for official tolerance one city at a time, with anti-discrimination laws specifically including sexual orientation. The first? Sandpoint, in January 2012. The second was Boise this week, whose mayor told reporters he is already getting calls from other Idaho cities, asking for drafting details and advice. Pocatello is apparently keen.
It is a matter of time; that's more fact than opinion, given a few more years. Why? The young will one day be in charge, and their feelings are much stronger. Of those polled about same-sex marriages, in the 18-29 age category, 79 percent answered "yes."
We probably won't need to wait that long for a national, inclusive approach. The U.S. Supreme Court briefly delayed a significant ruling which would open the door to constitutional challenges on state bans against same-sex marriage, but it's expected to rule soon.
The decision won't yet be the definitive answer, but it's a big step - they'll say whether or not they can accept cases challenging California's Proposition 8 and the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal programs from recognizing same-sex marriages.
None of these need be an indictment against or statement for specific personal or religious beliefs. Rather they may be seen as an exercise in the strength of the First Amendment, the separation of church and state. The two must steer clear of each other's domains, even when compelling passions run high. That's one marriage a free people can ban with constitutional integrity.
Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at [email protected].