Not on the Same(-Sex) Page: How Religion Shapes Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage Among Sexual Minorities and Heterosexuals

• Published in: Sexuality research & social policy 2023-12, Vol.20 (4), p.1360-1377
• Main Authors: Ratcliff, Shawn, Haltom, Trenton M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advocacy; Attitudes; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Catholics; Congressional elections; Due process of law; Election results; Elections; Evangelicalism; Heterosexuality; Legislation; LGBTQ people; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority groups; Protestants; Psychology; Religion; Religious attitudes; Religious identity; Rights; Same sex marriage; Scrutiny; Sexual Behavior; Sexual development; Sexual orientation; Sexuality; Social Sciences; Sociopolitical attitudes
• ISSN: 1868-9884; 1553-6610
• DOI: 10.1007/s13178-023-00799-y

Introduction Sexual minorities tend to support same-sex marriage (SSM), yet ~ 7% remain opposed. Along religious lines, more than 60% of mainline Protestants and Catholics favored same-sex marriage by 2015 compared to only ~ 20% of (white) evangelical Protestants. Here, we examine how (seemingly conflictual) sexual and religious identities both independently and collectively shape opposition to SSM. Methods Using the 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES; n  = 57,148) collected in 2016 (pre-election) and 2017 (post-election), we employ logistic regression to compare the probability of opposing SSM along intersecting religious and sexual lines. Results We find evangelical Protestants are more likely to oppose SSM, even among sexual minorities; however, the degree to which religion, particularly identifying with a Christian religious affiliation, impacts views towards SSM varies substantially within and between sexual identities. Conclusions These results highlight how conservative religious identities can impact attitudes towards social policies, including opposing policies designed to extend the rights of one’s own (sexual) minority identity. Relatedly, the results also highlight the importance of examining within- and between-group nuances in socio-political attitude development, especially along sexual lines. Policy Implications As federal cases decided under the substantive due process clause come under scrutiny, states may yet again, become the battleground for SSM and other LGBTQIA+ rights. Since many states still have (currently unenforceable) SSM bans, advocacy groups and state legislators would need to quickly develop legislation and/or ballot initiatives to codify/protect SSM. Understanding the factors that impact opposition and their nuances can help shape these initiatives and related campaigns.