Even in the socially conservative South , support more than doubled , increasing from 22 % to 48 % . Stephanie Coontz : Since first same - sex marriage state , U.S. attitudes have changed fast . Number of Americans living where gay is legal will likely soon reach 60 million , she says . Coontz : More high profile gays in culture ; plus civil rights , feminism and view on social issues . Coontz : Big shifts in concept of sexuality in heterosexual ##ity also helped clear path .
Stephanie Coontz : Since first same - sex marriage state , U.S. attitudes have changed fast . Number of Americans living where gay is legal will likely soon reach 60 million , she says . Coontz : More high profile gays in culture ; plus civil rights , feminism and view on social issues . Coontz : Big shifts in concept of sexuality in heterosexual ##ity also helped clear path .