For the First Time, Poll Finds Majority Support for the Freedom to Marry Nationwide

By Andy Eddins
Aug 11, 2010 at 07:18 pm

Earlier today, CNN released a national poll in which they asked, "Do you think gays and lesbians should have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid?"  52% of respondents replied "Yes."  46% replied "No." And 2% had "No Opinion."  Sampling Error: +/-4.5 Percentage Points

Statement from Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of Freedom to Marry, on CNN's groundbreaking poll:

"For the first time, a national poll shows that a majority of Americans support the freedom to marry and that those who would deny liberty and equal protection to same-sex couples are in the minority. As last week's federal ruling striking down Prop 8 again confirmed, there is no good reason to continue excluding same-sex couples from marriage.  Americans are realizing that gay couples crave the personal significance of marriage and need the critical safety of protections and responsibilities that marriage brings.  With many hearts and minds still to be changed, we must continue making as strong a case for the freedom to marry in the court of public opinion as we are making in the courts of law."