Gay marriage revolution

Two decades ago, less than 20 percent of all Americans believed that gays and lesbians should be able to marry.

Today, more than two-thirds of all Americans believe that marriage for gays and lesbians is a right, and this past week the Supreme Court of the United States agreed and made gay marriage legal in all  50 states.

Why the change?   Why did Americans change their collective opinions in less than 20 years?

The answer really isn’t complicated.

Media.

Over the past decade, in television show after television show, gay and lesbian characters have been present in dozens of comedy and drama series.   Writers of these shows have been able to depict gay and lesbian characters as real, as human and as full of love and folly as the rest of us.

Minds are molded by common culture.   As gay and lesbian characters are presented in a matter-of-fact way, it becomes acceptable to those who get their entertainment and education from the entertainment media.

Support for gay rights followed.   Support for full rights will also follow.

Never underestimate the impact that the media and common culture holds.