A Reuters poll has found that more than 50 of Americans are in support of same-sex marriages and protections for the LGBT community.
According to PrideSource, the Reuters poll of 892 individuals found that 52 per cent were in favour of allowing same-sex couples the right to marry, while only 32 per cent of the respondents opposed same-sex marriages.
Fifty-four per cent of those polled disagreed with businesses that refuse to serve members of the LGBT community, while only 28 per cent said it was the business owners' right to refuse to serve LBGT-identified individuals.
Fifty-five per cent of the respondents told Reuters that businesses or companies do not have the right to refuse employment based on their religious beliefs, as opposed to 27 per cent who believe companies can discriminate against job applicants on religious grounds.
The results of the Reuters survey suggest widespread support for LGBT protections to be included in the Religious Freedom Restoration Acts that are currently being passed in various states in the US, PrideSource reported.
LGBT protections became central issues around the passing of the RFRAs. In Indiana, Governor Mike Pence was forced to request an amendment to his state's RFRA, which he signed late March, to include anti-discrimination protections after objections arose from civil rights organisations and businesses, which were concerned that the RFRA would be used to discriminate against specific communities and groups.
Governor Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas also requested lawmakers to amend Arkansas' RFRA to closely mirror the language of the federal government's RFRA and include anti-discrimination provisions.
Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder expressed his intent last week to veto any RFRA in his state if it does not expand the existing Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protection for LGBT individuals.
Georgia Senator Josh McKoon said that he will revive an RFRA for his state and push for the bill's original language, which does not include LBGT protections.
