The “Persuadable Middle” on Same-Sex Marriage: Formative Research to Build Support among Heterosexual College Students

Abstract

Same-sex marriage is a controversial policy issue that affects the welfare of gay and lesbian couples throughout the USA. Considerable research examines opinions about same-sex marriage; however, studies have not investigated the covariates of the "persuadable middle"-those individuals who are neutral or unsure about their views. This group of people is often the target of same-sex marriage campaigns, yet they have received no empirical attention.Using a sample of heterosexual college students, we conduct multinomial logistic regression to identify the factors associated with being neutral about same-sex marriage. Findings suggest that in comparison with those who endorse or oppose same-sex marriage, political ideology and views about the acceptability of same-sex relationships are influential in determining the "persuadable middle." Within each category other factors are identified. We discuss the implications for policy advocacy efforts to advance marriage equality.

Logics of Freedom: Debating Religious Freedom Laws and Gay and Lesbian Rights

“…Researchers have also found high levels of support for laws protecting LGBTQ people from housing and job discrimination (Lax and Phillips 2009;Lewis and Rogers 1999;Powell et al 2010). Consistently, research shows that women, higher educated people, nonreligious individuals, younger generations, and political liberals are more likely to support these pro-LGBTQ policies than men, lower educated people, religious individuals, older generations, and political conservatives (Brumbaugh et al 2008;Haider-Markel and Joslyn 2005;Lewis 2011;Lewis and Gossett 2008;Olson, Cadge, and Harrison 2006;Pearl and Galupo 2007;Rowatt et al 2009;Sherkat, de Vries, and Creek 2010;Swank, Woodford, and Lim 2013;Whitehead 2010;Woodford et al 2012).…”

Examining the Nuance in Public Opinion of Pro-LGB Policies in a “Red State”

“…Consistently, scholarship indicates that women, higher educated people, non-religious individuals, younger generations, and political liberals are more likely to support pro-LGB policies than men, lower educated people, religious individuals, older generations, and political conservatives (Brumbaugh et al 2008;Haider-Markel and Joslyn 2008;Lewis 2011;Lewis and Gossett 2008;Olson et al 2006;Pearl and Galupo 2007;Pew Research 2013a, 2013b, 2014aRowatt et al 2009;Sherkat et al 2010;Whitehead 2010;Swank et al 2013;Woodford et al 2012). Particularly relevant to the current analyses, scholars have also pointed to regional differences to explain variation in support of pro-LGB policies.…”

“…Yet such support and acceptance is higher among certain segments of the population than others (Hopkins et al 2013;Moore and Stambolis-Ruhstorfer 2013;Seidman 2002). Studies show that younger people, women, non-religious, and those who know an LGB person support pro-LGB policies at higher levels than other groups (Brumbaugh et al 2008;Haider-Markel and Joslyn 2008;Lewis 2011;Lewis and Gossett 2008;Olson et al 2006;Pearl and Galupo 2007;Rowatt et al 2009;Sherkat et al 2010;Swank et al 2013;Whitehead 2010;Woodford et al 2012).…”

Backlash or a Positive Response?: Public Opinion of LGB Issues After Obergefell v. Hodges

“…Public opinion studies, however, show that levels of support vary among demographic, political, and religious groups (Baunach, 9 2012;Lewis, 2003;Olson, Cadge, and Harrison, 2006;Pew Research, 2013a;Powell, Yurk Quadlin, and Pizmony-Levy, 2015). Consistently, studies find that women, higher educated people, non-religious individuals, younger generations, and political liberals support same-sex marriage at higher levels than men, lower educated people, religious individuals, older generations, and political conservatives (Andersen and Fetner, 2008;Brumbaugh et al, 2008;Galupo and Pearl, 2007;Haider-Markel andJoslyn, 2005, 2008;Kreitzer, Hamilton, and Tolbert, 2014;Lewis, 2011;Lewis and Gossett, 2008;McCarthy, 2015McCarthy, , 2014Sherkat, de Vries, and Creek, 2010;Whitehead, 2010;Woodford et al, 2012). Also, work has shown that heterosexual people who report having a personal connection to gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals are more likely to have a positive attitude towards gay rights (Fetner, 2016;Herek, 2002;Herek & Capitanio, 1996).…”