Poll Shows Increased Support for Marriage Equality, Examines Supreme Court Threat
June 26, 2015 was a historic day for LGBTQ rights when the Supreme Court made the landmark decision that legalized same-gender marriage across the United States. Seven years later, a new poll from Gallup revealed that 71% of polled Americans support marriage equality, as opposed to 58% in 2015 and 27% back when the question was added in 1996.
GLAAD, the world’s largest media advocacy organization for LGBTQ individuals, responded June 1 stating, “Seven years after Obergefell, it’s ever more apparent that LGBTQ couples are worthy of love and recognition and that our families are welcome and valued. Obergefell and Roe are landmark decisions for a reason: because they ensure freedoms and protections and are fully supported by a wide majority of Americans. If anything, Congress and the Supreme Court should move to reflect the will of the people by codifying protections against discrimination. Being free to contribute to the success of our communities and country should never be left up to extremist lawmakers or a handful of disapproving justices on the Court.”
This statement comes after the recent leak of a draft opinion from the Supreme Court that would overturn Roe v. Wade. In the draft Justice, Samuel Alito compared Roe and Obergefell, a move that has been interpreted as a threat to the ruling in 2015. Justice Alito, along with Justice Clarence Thomas has also made comments about Obergefell being a “problem” for the court to fix.
The majority of Americans have no interest in seeing Obergefell overturned, but it seems like that won’t deter the Supreme Court. The unfortunate reality is that, despite the growing LGBTQ community and support of marriage equality, LGBTQ rights continue to be at stake. So as we celebrate Pride this year, it is important to remember for as many advancements as we have made over the past 30 years, there is still work to be done.
