The Moveable Middle

Last week a report came out by Third Way based on a study of the two 2009 state ballot initiatives regarding relationship recognition – Maine and Washington.  Our Question 1, as we all know, was a vote on marriage equality and Washington’s Referendum 71 was an everything-but-marriage expansion on domestic partnership laws.  Maine lost 47% - 53%; Washington won 53% - 47%.

The study consisted of two polls in both states, one in January 2009 and a follow-up in November after the elections, and targeted the swing voters – known as the Moveable Middle.  Maine has a slightly larger than national average moveable middle at, get this, 47%. Our middle consists of 22% who believe gay and lesbian couples should have the same rights but a different name and 25% who believe that same-sex couples should have some legal recognition.  There are also 10% who believe same-sex couples deserve no recognition (the anti-equality base), and a whopping 39% who support marriage equality (the pro-equality base).  

Unfortunately what the study showed is that Maine’s middle voted overwhelmingly against marriage equality.  It is believed that this is so because the middle sees marriage as an ideal, not a legal contract or a right, and they’re still not sure if gay couples meet that ideal.  However, this isn’t to say that the middle is anti-gay.  In fact, they identify themselves as those who know gay people, they believe themselves to be growing more acceptant toward gay and lesbian people, they do support relationship recognition and they do hold shared values with the pro-equality base.

The middle has two primary concerns – the redefinition of marriage and what marriage means to kids. When asked whether gay couples were trying to “join” or “change” marriage only 34% said join.  The Yes on 1’s primary focus of schools resulted in 74% of parents concerned that schools were going to teach about homosexuality if marriage was upheld.

So, Third Way suggests that we tap into the true meaning of marriage including 1) Show that gay couples honor and respect the tradition of marriage and want to join it.  2) Demonstrate that gay couples see marriage as a lifetime commitment.  3) Encourage gay people and allies to talk to others about why they support marriage.

And finally, according to the poll, Mainers who talked to a gay person voted No on 1 63% to 37%.  People who talked to their kids voted for marriage equality 55% to 45%.  However, all three methods will need to be put to use.  We need to convince the moveable middle that we all want to be married for the same reasons – that marriage is a life-long commitment between two people who publicly declare their bond before family, friends and their community.

Click here to read the full report.