New Polls Highlight Catholic, National Support for Marriage Equality

Two polls released today provide further evidence that Americans are increasingly accepting of their LGBT friends and neighbors, and believe they should be afforded the same rights as straight citizens.

A national poll conducted by Quinnipiac found that while general voters are still divided on the issue of marriage equality, with 48% percent in favor and 46% opposed, 49% of white Catholics support marriage equality.

A pair of USA Today/Gallup polls released today also found growing public support for marriage equality by 53%. The poll found broad support for legal rights for same-sex couples, and that a majority of Americans support same-sex marriage and adoption. Of those surveyed, more than a third said their views about LGBT people had changed over the course of their lives.

USA Today also surveyed self-identified gay men and lesbians, 75% of whom said they were "generally open" about their sexual orientation. More than 90% of LGBT people surveyed said their community has become more accepting in recent years, according to USA Today.

Both findings are consistent with recent studies indicating a shift in public opinion toward allowing gay and lesbian Americans the freedom to marry, adopt, and serve in the military.