A majority of young Republicans support
gay marriage, a report released Thursday has found.
According to the report, 51 percent of
Republicans under the age of 30 support marriage equality, while 46
percent remain opposed.
The
study, commissioned by Freedom to Marry, analyzed recent polling
and exit polls from the 2012 election to conclude that “the
well-documented majority support for the freedom to marry is
broadening and diversifying while opposition continues to diminish
and is isolated to a few narrow demographic groups.”
“This report shows what we are
hearing from more and more young conservatives: Our generation values
marriage for all committed couples – it makes our families and our
nation stronger,” Margaret Hoover, a CNN political commentator,
said in a statement releasing the findings. “GOP leaders need to
bring the party in line with the next generation – and the American
people – to continue to lead us forward.”
(Related: Margaret
Hoover: Gay marriage is a matter of freedom.)
The report also found that 47 percent
of Republicans who oppose the Tea Party support marriage equality.
Conversely, a large majority (84%) of Republicans who support the Tea
Party oppose such unions.