Around the world, campaigns for marriage change hearts and minds

Active campaigns to ensure the freedom of marriage for same-sex couples are now underway in dozens of countries around the world, spanning every continent and different political contexts. Although each of these campaigns is rooted in unique cultural and political dynamics, they have in common the potential to harness the power of marriage as both a goal and a strategy. We can use marriage conversations to change the hearts and minds of LGBTQ people. A public campaign for the freedom to marry is a unique opportunity to demonstrate that LGBTQ people are part of the family and need to be recognized by their families just like anyone else, and that LGBTQ people’s needs and rights are recognized. It helps put it into a more familiar context for a wider range of people. public.

Not only does the change in public attitudes toward LGBTQ people and their families have an immediate and tangible impact on local communities, but the Marriage Campaign also supports LGBTQ civil society efforts, including an increase in overall support for LGBTQ causes. It has been shown to have a variety of long-term benefits for democratic participation. It is to strengthen civil society, test the implementation of new strategies to engage decision-makers, train a new generation of LGBTQ leaders, and instill a belief in activism, the rule of law, and democratic change.

By educating the public about LGBTQ couples and families and elevating the voices of allies, the Freedom to Marry Campaign reduces homophobia and transphobia and leads to greater acceptance. The public debate about the freedom to marry is uniquely centered around the resonant values ​​of freedom and dignity as well as love and family, ensuring that non-gay people can enjoy loving relationships just like everyone else. It has helped me better understand homosexual people as an individual with a family. Also, unlike other policy changes, legalizing marriage for same-sex couples typically involves intense media attention, increasing the likelihood that this campaign will change public attitudes. Even after the freedom to marry was secured, polling data shows that public support for LGBTQ people continues to accelerate, creating a more inclusive society and improving in several other aspects, especially for LGBTQ people. It enables political progress on the most important fronts.

For example, after Costa Rica became the first country in Central America to allow same-sex couples the freedom to marry in May 2020, a poll conducted by the international research firm Borge & Associados found that support for civil marriage for same-sex couples increased by 18%. It turned out that. Increased support for sexual couples and LGBTQ people more broadly. Nearly 40% of poll respondents reported that in the past 12 months they had personally developed a more positive opinion of gay and lesbian people, giving them the freedom to marry. After that, support for adoption and transgender nondiscrimination grew strongly. Immediately after the Marriage Victory, Costa Rica continued to tighten its hate crime and second parent adoption laws.

Support has grown significantly since Taiwan became the first government in Asia to abolish the ban on same-sex couples from marriage in 2019. A government poll found that only 37.4% of the country’s residents had previously said they believed same-sex couples should be able to marry. However, by May 2023, four years after the marriage victory, The agency reported Support for marriage increased by 25.2 points to a strong majority (62.6%). By 2024the approval rating rose another 6.5 percentage points to a record high of 69.1%.

Even in countries where it has not yet won, the marriage movement is having an impact. In Romania, advocacy group Asociatia ACCEPT launched public education television ads in late 2023 featuring parents and their LGBTQ children. In a poll a few months later, Support for legal protection fluctuates at 26% Same-sex couples increased by 13% compared to 2021, and opposition to protection decreased by 13%. Support for Accept’s paid media campaign among parents has increased significantly, with 55% now saying they would like their children to be protected if they were gay, just like everyone else. The number of people who want a law that allows them to get married increased by 11 points. Demonstrate impact beyond relational awareness issues and overall Increased visibility of LGBTQ people in Romanian societya massive public education campaign centered on LGBTQ people, their families, and marriage, found that the number of people who know or interact with LGBTQ people will increase from 19% in 2021 to 29% in 2024 rose to .

Similarly, Panama 2023 The poll showed support for protections for same-sex couples increased by 15.3% two years after marriage. “Si Asept” marriage campaign. Support for legal protections among Catholic Panamanians rose to 74.5%, with Catholics asking about specific protections such as visiting a hospitalized partner or making legal decisions together. of Panamanians supported gay and lesbian couples at 84.3%. In countries like Romania and Panama, the goal of achieving marriage may be a long journey, but the movement for freedom to marry still has significant gains in public opinion and may pave the way to ultimate victory. can.

Research shows similar increases in other countries with active marriage campaigns. For example, behind the “Marriage for All Japan” initiative, Japan’s approval rating for marriage has now reached an all-time high of 72%.up 7% in two years. The Czech Republic has arrived In 202, support for marriage was 72%.Three months before the Gesme Ferre campaign won the civil partnership, it represents an increase of almost 25 points in four years of active campaigning. pew research A year before Thailand’s parliament passed the marriage bill with a bipartisan majority, it showed that support for marriage in Thailand in 2023 would be 60%.

The experience gained working on marriage campaigns will develop campaign leaders and achieve progress on other issues. Once the marriage was secured, a campaign organization, the Taiwan Marriage Equality Coalition, was re-formed. Taiwan Equality Campaign. Using the strategies we implemented to win marriages, TEC led a successful advocacy effort to allow same-sex couples to adopt non-biologically related children in 2023. The massive campaign for freedom to marry has strengthened Taiwan’s civil society, enabled continued sustainable progress, and paved the way for future victories. Government leaders now cite same-sex marriage as a key indicator of Taiwan’s democratic society.

Winning change movements means that civil society organizations enable leaders and supporters to engage in democratic processes, hold elected leaders accountable, and build the political power needed to effect change. We encourage you to do so. Marriage movements are important (and in some countries We have encouraged them to learn and deploy new) tactics. Freedom to Marry Global has collaborated with advocates to share best practices from around the world and supported local leaders in testing and implementing these strategies in ways tailored to local contexts. This kind of coordination and skill-sharing between LGBTQ groups within and across regions is exactly what our LGBTQ movement needs more of to succeed, rather than reinventing the wheel with every campaign. It’s a thing.

Additionally, every campaign victory sends a positive message of momentum to our neighbors. Costa Rica’s Sí Acepto served as a model for the region as Latin America’s first public education campaign. Si Asept leaders collaborated to export materials and results to other Latin American countries working to implement the Inter-American Court of Human Rights Consultative Opinion (OC-24). As a result, the impact of the Sí Acepto campaign is felt far beyond Costa Rica’s borders, with similarly styled campaigns currently active in Guatemala, Panama, Bolivia and Peru. Progress is powerful and radiates powerfully across borders.

The freedom to marry, the critical protections, fundamental freedoms and dignity that marriage provides to LGBTQ couples and their families are important in and of themselves, but public campaigns to secure marriage do more than that. Beyond the tangible and intangible meanings and protections that come with it, marriage fundamentally changes perceptions of LGBTQ people, creates momentum and support for further gains, and equips leaders with skills for continued success. It is also important as a strategy for giving political power. We aim to advance our communities and our countries. Movements for the freedom to marry and the discussion of marriage have meaningful economic and democratic dividends for all. Love wins – and we all win.

Freedom to Marry Global and the Council for Global Equality advocate for marriage equality in countries around the world.