---
title: "Public Opinion Trends on Gay Marriage"
description: "A Pew Forum Fact Sheet The Pew Research Center has tracked public opinion on gay marriage as it has fluctuated over the past several years. Following is an excerpt from a June 2006 survey analysis by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, followed by links to earlier surveys that include analyses […]"
date: "2006-07-26"
authors:
  - name: "Joseph Liu"
    job_title: "Guest Contributor"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2006/07/26/public-opinion-trends-on-gay-marriage/"
categories:
  - "Religion & Social Values"
  - "Same-Sex Marriage"
  - "Same-Sex Marriage"
---

# Public Opinion Trends on Gay Marriage

**A Pew Forum Fact Sheet**

The Pew Research Center has tracked public opinion on gay marriage as it has fluctuated over the past several years. Following is an excerpt from a June 2006 survey analysis by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, followed by links to earlier surveys that include analyses of public opinion along religious lines.

**June 2006: Support for Gay Marriage Declines; Opponents Place Higher Priority on the Issue** [View the survey report, including links to topline & methodology](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2006/06/27/democrats-more-eager-to-vote-but-unhappy-with-party/) (June 27, 2006)

![](http://pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/politics/reports/images/279-20.gif)

When it comes to gay marriage, people on different sides of the issue place different priority on it. Those opposing gay marriage assigned it greater importance, with nearly half (45%) calling it a very important issue. Supporters of gay marriage place less priority on it, with just 27% saying it is very important.

Overall support for allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally has declined significantly since March. In the current poll, 33% favor gay marriage and 55% are opposed; four months ago, 39% were in favor and 51% opposed. Opponents of gay marriage were also asked if they thought a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is a good or bad idea; of the total sample, 33% said it was a good idea and 19% said it was a bad idea.

**March 2006: Less Opposition to Gay Marriage** [View the survey report, including links to topline & methodology](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2006/03/22/less-opposition-to-gay-marriage-adoption-and-military-service/) (March 22, 2006)

**July 2005: Support for Marriage Amendment Tepid Among Evangelicals, Weak Among Other Groups** [View the survey report, including links to topline & methodology](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2005/08/03/abortion-and-rights-of-terror-suspects-top-court-issues/) (August 3, 2005)