For first time, a majority sees gay relations as 'morally acceptable' Gallup started asking in 2001: Gallup started asking in 2001

A slight majority of Americans view gay or lesbian relations as morally acceptable—a first since Gallup pollsters started asking about the issue in 2001.

In a recent survey of 16 different behaviors or social practices, Gallup found that 52 percent of Americans accept gay or lesbian relations, a steady increase since a form of the question was introduced nine years ago. The percentage of Americans who find it “morally wrong’’ dipped to its lowest point: 43 percent.

Sixty percent of Democrats and independents accept gay or lesbian relations, compared to 35 percent of Republicans.

When asked about same-sex marriage, 53 percent of Americans polled said they opposed its legalization, compared to 44 percent who favor it. But the opposition tied with the lowest rate ever measured by Gallup, from 2007. In 1996, when Gallup first asked about the legality of gay marriage, 68 percent of Americans were opposed to it and 27 percent supported it.

The findings are based on telephone interviews with 1,029 U.S. adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

On other questions, Americans were tied, at 46 percent, regarding the morality of doctor-assisted suicide—a stark contrast to the 77 percent of Americans who believe suicide is morally wrong. Americans are overwhelmingly agreed on admonishing cheating spouses, with only 6 percent of respondents saying marital infidelity is morally acceptable. –Religion News Service