REPORT: Latino Youth Support Same-Sex Marriage At Much Higher Rates Than Black Youth
According to the Black Youth Project’s latest memo, Latino youth support same-sex marriage at much higher rates than Black youth, while support among white youth falls in between.Our analysis examined public opinion on same-sex marriage in 2009 and 2012, focusing on youth between the ages of 18 and 29.
Though it is commonly believed that generational changes are responsible for increased public support for same-sex marriage, we find that attitudes toward same-sex marriage among young people vary considerably.
In both 2009 and 2012, Black youth supported same-sex marriage at much lower rates than either white or Latino youth, who were the most supportive of same-sex marriage. While support for same-sex marriage among young people increased significantly across all racial groups between 2009 and 2012, Black youth continue to support same-sex marriage at lower rates than both white and Latino youth.
Black, white, and Latino youth are more supportive of same-sex marriage than older adults. However, the differences by age group are much smaller among Blacks than they are for either whites or Latinos.
Since 2009, the gender gap in support of same-sex marriage has declined among white and Latino youth, but has increased slightly among Black youth.
This latest report is the 13th in a series of memos entitled “Black and Latino Youth: The Future of American Politics” released by the Black Youth Project.