Marriage equality may be closer than you think

Momentum is moving the gay-marriage debate in teh right direction, thanks to an aggressive push from marriage-equality activists.

Consider the poll released today by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute that shows a plurality of New Jerseyans — 49 percent for, 43 percent opposed — backing the legalization of same-sex marriage, a sea change when compared with a December 2006 poll that found marriage-equality opposed by a 50-44 margin. The poll also found that voters, by a 63-30 margin, support the existing civil unions law.

“Two years after New Jersey’s civil union law went into effect, sentiment for allowing same-sex marriage in the state has shifted from six points against to six points in favor,” said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

“Support for the same-sex civil union law has risen dramatically and New Jersey voters do not see gay marriage as a threat to traditional marriages between a man and a woman. Support for allowing gay couples to adopt children is nearly 2 – 1.”

Another key finding of the poll is the complete rejection of the claim made by the homophobes at the National Organization for Marriage and other like groups seeking to demonize gays and paint the LGBT community as somehow a threat to American values. Groups like NOM have long argued that same-sex marriage is a threat to so-called “traditional marriage.” They’ve never explained what that threat entails, beyond saying that it redefines marriage and parenthood — an argument that is beyond specious and appears to be losing steam.

From the Quinnipiac Poll:

New Jersey voters reject 66 – 30 percent the argument that same-sex marriage “is a threat to the traditional marriage between a man and a woman.” Even Republicans disagree with this claim 51 – 46 percent, as do those who attend religious services weekly, 52 – 43 percent.

Think about it — two-thirds of New Jersey voters find this argument unconvincing, meaning that the chief pillar on which the opposition has built its case is melting.

Let’s keep up the heat.