Whites more open to gay marriage than African-Americans

Whites are much more likely to support same-sex marriage than African-Americans, according to a new survey released by Pew Research.

The data shows that while only 42 percent of African-Americans support same-sex marriage, a much larger percentage say wedding-related businesses should be required to serve same-sex couples.

The data also shows that 70 percent of African-Americans say homosexuality is a sin, while only 47 percent of whites say it is.

From Pew:

“Why do African Americans think wedding related businesses should be required to provide services to same-sex couples even though many harbor reservations about such unions? This may partly reflect empathy among African Americans for the perceived discrimination that gays and lesbians face in American society.

“Most African Americans (80%) say that gays and lesbians face a lot of discrimination in the U.S., which is much higher than the number of whites who say this (61%). The poll also finds that, for the overall public, most people who think gays and lesbians face ‘a lot’ of discrimination say that businesses should be required to provide services for same-sex weddings. By contrast, most people who think gays and lesbians do not face a lot of discrimination say businesses should not have to provide services for same-sex wedding.”