CBS NEWS POLLFor release: Tuesday, March 26, 2013

7:00 AM EDT

The Supreme Court Considers Same-Sex MarriageMarch 20-24, 2013

As the Supreme Court begins to hear oral arguments in cases involving two high-profile laws to do with same-sex marriage – California’s Proposition 8 and the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act –53% of Americans think it should be legal for same-sex couples to marry, while 39% say it should not be legal.

Although public opinion on this topic has been consistent for the last few months, it has reversed markedly from as recently as a year ago. In May 2012, just after President Barack Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage, a slight majority of Americans said it should not be legal for same-sex couples to marry.

Same Sex Marriage Should be…Now 2/2013 9/2012 5/2012

Legal 53% 53% 51% 42%Not legal 39 41 41 51

The poll suggests the extent to which people’s views have changed. 33% of Americans who now think same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry say they once held the opposite view.

Did You Ever Think Same Sex Marriage Should NOT be Legal?(Among those who think same-sex marriage should be legal)

Yes 33%No 67

When asked why they changed their minds, one in five volunteers that personally knowing someone who is gay or lesbian was the deciding factor (20%). Other reasons mentioned include being more tolerant now (17%), more educated now (17%), or that is the modern way of thinking about the issue (12%).

Why Did You Change Your Mind?(Changed opinion of same-sex marriage from not legal to legal)

Know someone who is gay or lesbian 20%More tolerant now 17More educated now 17Modern way of thinking/progress 12

Americans’ awareness of gays and lesbians in their own lives has grown over the past ten years. In 2003, most Americans said they did not have a work colleague, close friend, or family member who was gay or lesbian. Today, six in 10 Americans say they do.

Have Gay/Lesbian Work Colleague, Close Friend, or RelativeNow 12/2003

Yes 61% 44%No 37 55

Knowing someone personally who is gay or lesbian appears to be an important factor in how Americans feel about the issue of same-sex marriage. While two-thirds of Americans with a close relationship to someone who is gay or lesbian think same-sex marriage should be legal, most without such a close relationship don’t think so.

Same Sex Marriage Should be…All Have gay/lesbian colleague, friend, or relativeAmericans Yes No

Legal 53% 66% 34%Not legal 39 29 56

Most Americans under age 45 believe same-sex marriage should be legal, including 73% of those under 30. Americans between 45 and 64 are divided, while 52% of seniors do not think it should be legal.

Same Sex Marriage Should be…All 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+

Legal 53% 73% 59% 46% 35%Not legal 39 21 37 46 52

Politically, most Democrats (63%) and independents (56%) favor legalization of same-sex marriage, while most Republicans (56%) do not. Still, support for same-sex marriage among Republicans has increased from just 13% in May 2012 (after the President announced his support of same-sex marriage) to 37% today.

Same Sex Marriage Should be…------ Now ------ ---- May 2012 ----Reps Dems Inds Reps Dems Inds

Legal 37% 63% 56% 13% 63% 43%Not legal 56 30 36 81 25 53

__________________________________________________________________________This poll was conducted by telephone from March 20-24, 2013 among 1,181 adults nationwide. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

CBS NEWS POLLSame-Sex MarriageMarch 20-24, 2013

q45 Do you think it should be legal or not legal for same-sex couples to marry?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind Feb13b % % % % %Legal 53 37 63 56 53Not legal 39 56 30 36 41DK/NA 8 7 7 8 6

q46 Was there ever a time when you thought same-sex marriage should NOT be legal?

** AMONG THOSE WHO SAID LEGAL IN Q45 ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % Yes 33 45 26 33No 67 53 73 66DK/NA 1 2 0 0

q47 What would you say is the main reason your opinion on same-sex marriage has changed?

** AMONG THOSE WHO SAID “YES” IN Q46 ** % Know gays/lesbians/friends 20 More tolerant/accepting now 17 More educated now/know more 17 Modern way of thinking 12 Equal rights 9 Freedom to love/happiness 5 None of my business 5 Already legal in some states 4 Gays/lesbians born that way 1 Hillary Clinton supports it 1 Other 6 DK/NA 3

q77 Do you have a work colleague, close friend, or relative who is gay or lesbian?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID ***Yes 61 55 63 63No 37 44 36 34I am (Vol.) 0 0 0 0 DK/NA 2 1 1 2

Total respondents: 1,181Margin of error: 3pts.