Revolutionary Changes in Opinions towards Homosexuality

Over the past thirty years, a revolution has occurred in public sentiment towards homosexuality.  In the British Social Attitudes survey, more than half the partakers, 56%, support same-sex marriage.  This is a dramatic change from 1988 when approximately two thirds of the British population believed same-sex relationships were "morally "wrong"", much less same-sex marriages.  Now only about 20% of the British populous shows opposition to same-sex relationships.  This rise in acceptance is even more remarkable knowing that in the 1980s opposition to homosexuality was growing.  A change has also occurred in the public's view of same-sex couples adopting children.  Now opinions are nearly evenly split whereas in the 1980's, about 90% of the population were in opposition to the idea.

As the article said, ""This may be the most dramatic shift of all" in the last thirty years".  Reading this article, I was astounding about how rapidly the public opinion on homosexuality has changed and what it suggests for the future.  While homosexuality is gaining acceptance, there is still a long road towards gay rights becoming commonplace.  Based on this article, I have hope that someday homosexuality will be completely accepted by society, but 20% is still a large part of the population.  However, beliefs and ways of thinking are such integral parts of society that a change this quickly is truly incredible.  For most people, the idea that homosexuals should be banned from any "responsible position in public life" is absurd.  It is shocking to think that only 30 years ago a substantial part of the British population, about 40%, held this view.  The public is taking great strides towards acceptance of homosexuality.  Even over the issue of adoption, where public sentiment is moving with the most relative torpor, 90% opposition to 48% opposition is a truly inspiring leap in open-mindedness.  Overall, this article gave me hope for equality between all sexual orientations one day.