The Arc of History is long

And sometimes it bends toward justice quicker than you'd think.

While the Supreme Court may try to think differently by bringing back the greatest misses of the 19th Century, politically the issue of same-sex marriage is going forward...quickly.

As state officials make their case for gay marriage to the U.S. Supreme Court, a new Field Poll showed record support in California for same sex unions. “By a nearly two-to-one margin (61% to 32%), California voters approve of allowing same-sex couples to marry,” according to the poll.

This represents a complete reversal in views about the issue from 1977, when the Field Poll conducted its first survey on the topic, and is the highest level of support ever measured by the poll. The poll noted that in 1977 only 28% approved of gay marriage while 59% disapproved. In 2006, it had 44% approval and 50% disapproval.

And not even four and a half years ago, Prop 8 passed in California banning same sex marriage (52% to 48%).

That is pretty dramatic.

[cross-posted at Firedoglake]