According to The Washington Post 58% of Americans now support same sex marriage. That number has doubled in just the last 10 years. The increase is due in large part to younger Americans. As a group they seem to be more tolerant of alternative lifestyles. Chris Jarvis is with Gay Central Valley. He says the shift in attitudes is due in part to the number of people who are openly gay.
“A huge part of it is more people know someone who is out. When you known someone who is gay it's hard to say they shouldn't have equal rights." says Jarvis.
Pastor Jim Franklin is with Cornerstone Church. He agrees society is changing but fears that may not be a good thing.
"Society is changing. I think the question we need to look at is; are we changing for the better or for the worse" says Franklin.
Both sides do agree on one thing. The media play a big roll.
“Americans are followers, the more people that go up there and say its okay. The more others will get out there and say it's okay” says Jarvis.
“Many times, unfortunately, public opinion is based on what polls say or what people feel and not based upon the fact” says Franklin.
Tuesday's poll sets the stage for a showdown at the Supreme Court next week. That's when the justices will hear a case challenging California's same sex marriage ban.
TXT 24
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