The U.S. Supreme Court today heard arguments for and against California's ban on gay marriage -- Proposition 8. And Wednesday, the court will consider the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The court is expected to issue rulings on both cases in June.
As the justices weigh these cases, Gallup data highlight how Americans feel -- and how much public opinion has changed over time:
- 54% of Americans in a March 2013 survey say they would vote for a law that would givemarriage benefits to federal government employees who are legally married to a same-sex partner; 39% say they would vote against it.
- 50% of Americans in May 2012 said marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by the law as valid and 48% said same-sex marriages should not be be valid. This contrasts with 1996, when 27% said such marriages should be valid and 68% said they should not be valid.
- 63% of Americans in May 2012 said that homosexual relations between consenting adults should be legal, matching the all-time high for the measure and up dramatically from 43% in 1977.
- 49% of Americans said they were satisfied with the acceptance of homosexuality in the nationin a January 2013 survey; 45% said they were dissatisfied.
- 3.4% of American adults self-reported that they personally identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, according to Gallup Daily tracking surveys conducted June 1-Sept. 30, 2012.
Gallup will continue to monitor Americans' views on these issues. Get detailed historical trends on issues concerning gay and lesbian rights here.