As public opinion changes and support for same-sex marriage increases across the United States, we reached out to Kansas Citians to see whether their views had taken a turn.
Our curiosity comes as the state of Kansas is making moves toward and away from making gay unions legal in the Sunflower State.
This month, same-sex couples were allowed and then blocked from legally obtaining marriage licenses in a matter of days.
So, we took to social media and our airwaves and asked: “Have your views on same-sex marriage evolved over the past 10 years? Why or why not?”
We heard three different types of responses from people, saying their opinions:
• Haven’t changed — they have always supported same-sex marriage.
• Have changed — they used to oppose it, but now support same-sex marriage.
• Have changed — they have always opposed same sex marriage.
Longtime supporters like Dvd Bghmn tell us on Facebook, “I've been in favor of it, even when I used to be religious as a teenager/young adult and they preached against it. I've never understood fighting so vigorously against something consenting adults are doing.”
For some of those who opened up and revealed their opinion had changed, the issue had religious implications.
“As a teenager I was opposed on religious grounds,” Kelbe Hollrah tells us on Facebook. “Today I support marriage equality (both civil and in my church) on religious grounds.”
For others, it was a matter of maturity.
“I am often horrified to think back on the young person I was & thankful for the opportunities for growth,” RitaLynne Broyles-Greenwood wrote us in an email. “I don't think I was ever ‘against’ equality, so much as I lacked the intentional supportiveness that I have now.”
And for a few people who responded, realizing their own sexual preferences was what changed their mind.
“I was on the fence about it, then realized/accepted I was gay, and now I’m a big fan of it,” @brightadventure tweeted us.
Only one person responded to the question with an anti-same-sex marriage stance.
“I suggest it is a time to find a new definition of marriage since it has been hijacked,” a caller said in a voice message on our Tell KCUR line.
For the full Twitter conversation, follow the #TellKCUR hashtag. You can also check out responses on Facebook.
Play the audio clip above to hear us reveal more answers from Kansas Citians on Thursday's Central Standard.
Tell KCUR is part of an initiative to engage the community and shine a light on your experiences and opinions. We’ll ask a new question every week and then share your feedback on the air and online. Everyone has knowledge and insight to share. Be a source for KCUR and join our Tell KC source network.
