Last week, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel became the first elected statewide official to express support for same-sex marriage. His announcement came days before Circuit Judge Chris Piazza is expected to rule on a challenge to the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Soon after, a federal challenge of the law is expected to move forward. McDaniel has pledged to “zealously” defend the Arkansas Constitution but said he wanted the public to know where he stood.
Good for him. The more people who come out and stand up for equality, the sooner equality will come. Even in Arkansas, where 63 percent of the state remains opposed to same-sex marriage, according to a recent survey from Public Policy Polling. Poll after poll shows majority support for equality among younger people. The same poll from Public Policy Polling showed voters under 30 support same-sex marriage 53 to 32 percent. Opposition is concentrated among the elderly, who won’t be around forever.