From the Sunday Post comes good news!

Anyone keeping track of public opinion surveys of American attitudes was probably not surprised last week when the Senate voted down a constitutional amendment, supported by President Bush, that would have banned same-sex marriage. Although a majority of Americans still oppose such unions, there has been a dramatic shift over the past three decades toward greater acceptance of gay men and lesbians, and their rights in society. Driving the change may be that more people now say they know someone -- or are willing to say they know someone -- who is gay.

-- Karlyn Bowman American Enterprise Institute

Oppose allowing gays to marry legally

1996 65%

2006 51%

Source: Pew Research Center

The proportion of Americans describing same-sex relations as "always wrong" has declined since the 1970s. In contrast, the proportion describing extramarital relations as "always wrong" increased from 70 percent to 80 percent over the same period.

Same-sex relations are always wrong:

1973 73%

2004 58%

Source: National Opinion Research Center

Views about hiring homosexuals for different occupations have liberalized over the years. For example, most Americans now say they should be hired as elementary school teachers, a previously more controversial position.

Homosexuals should be hired as elementary

school teachers

1977 27%

2005 54%

Source: The Gallup Organization

Have a friend or close acquaintance who is gay

1985 22%

2000 56%

Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates/Newsweek

Favor gay adoption

1977 14%

2006 49%

Source: (1977) The Gallup

Organization; (2006) ABC News/Time