Polls show huge gains for gay marriage support, but still not enough
Fox News +17% since 2004, +4% in favor since 2009
Despite a majority opposing gay marriage specifically, most believe there should be some form of legal recognition for same-sex marriages (66 percent). 37 percent of voters think gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry legally, up from 33 percent in 2009 and 20 percent in 2004. Another 29 percent support allowing a “legal partnership” similar to but not called marriage. About one in four think there should be no legal recognition given to gay and lesbian relationships (28 percent).
Fox News poll of 900 voters conducted by Opinion Dynamics Corp. (FOX)
CNN +4% in favor since 2009
”49 percent of respondents think gay and lesbian couples have the constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law, while 51 percent say those rights do not exist.”
CNN Opinion Research poll of 1,009 adult Americans. (CNN) In 2009, the results were 45% yes, 54% no, and 1% unsure. (CNN) When asked in 2010 if gays “should” have the right: 52% yes, 46% no, 2% no opinion.
Rhode Island +10% in favor since 2008
”The poll was done by Greenberg, Quinlan and Rosner for Gay and Lesbian Advocates & Defenders. The survey found 59 percent saying same-sex marriage should be legal and 31 percent disagreeing, compared to 49 percent for and 37 percent against in 2008.”
Results from 500 Rhode Island voters according to a Greenberg, Quinlan and Rosner for Gay and Lesbian Advocates & Defenders poll. (UPI)
California +9% in favor since 2003
”In an initial measure conducted in 1977 voters disapproved of extending marriage laws to same-sex couples by a greater than two-to-one margin (59% to 28%). However, over time California public opinion has trended in the direction of permitting same-sex couples to marry. By 2003 the plurality opposed was reduced to just an eight-point margin (50% disapprove vs. 42% approve). The lines crossed in 2008, when for the first time The Field Poll found more California voters approving rather than disapproving of allowing same-sex marriage. In the current survey, by a 51% to 42% margin voters approve of allowing same-sex marriage.”
Results of a Field poll that asked 1,390 California voters: “Do you approve or disapprove of California allowing homosexuals to marry members of their own sex and have regular marriage laws apply to them?” The poll was from July taken just before Judge Vaughn Walker declared that Proposition 8 is an unconstitutional marriage ban that discriminates against gay couples. (Field.com)
Nevada -14% in opposition since 2002
”A 2002 poll showed 60 percent of Nevadans supported a ban on gay marriage and 36 percent opposed the ban…. [But a new poll] conducted after a federal judge struck down California’s voter-approved ban on same-sex marriages, shows 46 percent of Nevadans now oppose legalizing gay marriage in the state. 35 percent said they support legalizing gay marriage, and 19 percent were undecided.”
From the Las Vegas Review-Journal and 8NewsNow asking 625 of Nevada‘s voters “Do you support or oppose legalizing gay marriage in Nevada?” (LV Review-Journal)
Chicago n/a comparison data
In a recent Tribune/WGN poll, 46 percent of suburban residents said they oppose legalizing same-sex marriage, while 40 percent approve and 14 percent have no opinion. When asked their opinions on civil unions — which would provide same-sex couples with many of the same legal rights as marriage — the results switch: 54 percent of suburban residents favor legalizing same-sex civil unions, compared with 33 percent who would oppose such a law…. The overall opinion on legalizing same-sex marriage, when city respondents are factored in, is split: 42 percent oppose it, 42 percent support it and 15 percent have no opinion.
WGN/Chicago Tribune poll 800 heads of household in the Chicago, IL area. (Chicago Tribune)
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
