{"id":13480,"date":"2015-03-30T12:14:35","date_gmt":"2015-03-30T17:14:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/businesses-serving-same-sex-couples\/"},"modified":"2024-04-14T03:19:48","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T08:19:48","slug":"businesses-serving-same-sex-couples","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2015\/03\/30\/businesses-serving-same-sex-couples\/","title":{"rendered":"Americans split over whether businesses must serve same-sex couples"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Businesses,<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

A new Indiana religious freedom law has sparked national debate since Gov. Mike Pence signed it<\/a> last week. While its supporters say it strengthens protection of religious liberty, critics have argued<\/a> that it could provide legal cover for businesses to discriminate, such as a florist or caterer who may not want to provide services for a same-sex wedding because of religious objections.<\/p>\n\n

Several such cases already have been making their way through the courts, including one involving a bakery in Oregon<\/a>. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from New Mexico photographers<\/a> who were found guilty of discrimination after refusing to shoot a commitment ceremony for two women.<\/p>\n\n

A Pew Research Center survey<\/a> last year found a U.S. public divided over these types of issues. The survey asked Americans whether businesses that provide wedding services should be allowed to refuse service to same-sex couples on religious grounds, or whether they should be required to provide services. Roughly equal shares of U.S. adults answered the question each way, with 49% saying businesses should be required to serve same-sex weddings, and 47% saying businesses should be permitted to refuse service due to religious objections.<\/p>\n\n

Whites (52%) are more likely than either blacks (36%)\u00a0or Hispanics (35%)\u00a0to say that businesses should be allowed to refuse services for same-sex weddings for religious reasons.\u00a0There also is a significant generation gap on this issue. Most Americans ages 65 and older (60%) say that wedding-related businesses should be able to decline to provide services for same-sex weddings, while most adults under the age of 30 (62%) take the opposite view, saying that businesses should be required to provide services for same-sex weddings.<\/p>\n\n

\"Wedding-Related<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

Major U.S. religious groups also disagree. A strong majority of white evangelical Protestants (71%) support businesses\u2019 right to refuse service on religious grounds, while majorities of black Protestants (59%), Catholics (57%) and people with no religious affiliation (61%) say that wedding-related businesses should be required to serve all customers.<\/p>\n\n

Republicans are about twice as likely as Democrats to say that businesses should be allowed to refuse service to same-sex couples (68% vs. 33%), with political independents in between the two parties (45%).<\/p>\n\n

Indiana, where a court ruling made same-sex marriage legal<\/a> last year, is not the only state to grapple with this issue. In fact, it is not the only state with such a law. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (via The Washington Post<\/a>), Indiana is the 20th state \u2013 in addition to the federal government \u2013 to enact a similar Religious Freedom Restoration Act, although there is some debate<\/a> about whether Indiana\u2019s law is slightly different (and perhaps designed to apply more to businesses<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n

Arkansas may soon enact a similar law<\/a>. Same-sex marriage is not currently legal in Arkansas, but the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments April 28 in a case that has the potential to bring gay marriage to all 50 states.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A new Indiana religious freedom law has sparked national debate. Some say it strengthens protection of religious liberty, while others say it could provide legal cover for businesses to discriminate. 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