US: 7% of LGBT people oppose equal marriage

Supporters of same sex marriage carry banners and shout slogans as they gather on a street in Sydney on August 6, 2017. Australia's Liberal Party, the senior partner in the ruling coalition, is set to debate its same-sex marriage policy on August 7 amid tensions between conservative and moderate elements over whether to dump a policy of holding a plebiscite on the issue in favour of other options, despite strong popular support for marriage equality. / AFP PHOTO / PETER PARKS (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

Seven percent of people who identify as LGBT are opposed to same-sex marriage.

According to data from Pew Research Center, polling showed that 74 percent of LGBT people were strongly in favour of equality, with 18 percent in favour.

However, 7 percent of LGBT people are opposed to same-sex marriage.

These figures contrast with the general population – where 41 percent opposed equal marriage at the time of polling in 2013 – but are still surprising.

Interestingly, bisexuals are almost twice as likely as gay men to oppose same-sex marriage, and four times as likely as lesbians.

Young people are more likely to be in favour – with 82% of under-30s strongly in favour, compared to 71% of over-30s.

96% of LGBT Democrats are strongly in favour, compared to 78% of LGBT Republicans – reflecting the different party lines on the issue.

Aside from marriage, the polling found that LGBT people are fundamentally split on how equality should be achieved.

Nearly half (49%) want to achieve equality while maintaining a distinct LGBT culture, while the same proprtion believe it is reached through becoming part of mainstream institutions.

39 percent agreed that same-sex marriage was taking the focus off of issues that were more important to them.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in 36 US states, with the US Supreme Court preparing to take up a case that could bring equality to all 50.

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