In the online survey of representative national samples in four countries, half of Australians (49%) believe same-sex couples in their country should be allowed to legally marry.

In Britain and the United States, smaller proportions of respondents (43% and 42% respectively) agree with this idea.

In Canada, where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005, 59 per cent of respondents believe same-sex couples should continue to be allowed to legally marry.

Americans are more likely to believe that same-sex couples should not have any kind of legal recognition (27%, compared to 15% in Britain and 14% in both Australia and Canada).

Several American states have held referendums on the definition of marriage. If a referendum took place in Australia, a majority of respondents (52%) would vote to define marriage as between two people, while 43 per cent would define marriage as between a man and a woman. Britons are evenly split on this question, while a plurality of Americans would vote to keep the current definition of marriage.

A majority of Canadians (59%) and Australians (53%)—and half of Britons (49%)—believe that people are born gay. Only 40 per cent of Americans agree with this notion, while one third (34%) believe people choose to be gay. In the four countries, at least half of respondents acknowledge that they have close friends or relatives who are openly gay or lesbian (Australia 65%, Canada 62%, United States 56%, Britain 51%).

Gender and Age Divide

Female respondents in Australia (59%), Britain (50%) and the United States (45%) are more likely to call for a change in existing marriage legislation than their male counterparts. In Canada, 64 per cent of women think same-sex marriage should continue to be allowed.

Majorities of respondents aged 18-to-34 in the four countries are also more likely support same-sex marriage, with Canada at 71 per cent, Australia at 62 per cent, Britain at 56 per cent, and the United States at 55 per cent. Conversely, respondents over the age of 55 are less likely to support same-sex marriage (48% in Canada, 35% in Australia, 34% in the United States, and 30% in Britain).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among:

The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1% for Canada and the United States, +/-2.5% for Australia, and +/-2.2% for Great Britain. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of each country.
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In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,007 American adults, 46 per cent of respondents believe same-sex couples in the United States should be allowed to legally marry, up 10 points since last year.

About one-in-five respondents (22%) think same-sex couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not marry, while 23 per cent of Americans believe there should be no legal recognition for same-sex couples.

Respondents from Generation Y (68%), Generation X (48%), and Americans who report having gay or lesbian friends or relatives (59%) are more likely to support same-sex marriage than members of other groups.

If a referendum on the definition of marriage took place tomorrow in their state, 47 per cent of respondents would vote to define marriage as between a man and a woman, while 45 per cent would define marriage as between two people. One year ago, there was an 18-point gap between these two options.

There is also some fluctuation in the question about homosexuality. Two-in-five respondents (40%, +3) believe people are born gay, while just over one third (36%, -8) think people choose to be gay.

Some churches have promoted conferences that pledge to convert gays and lesbians into heterosexuals through prayer. Only one-in-four Americans (25%) believe this is possible, while a sizeable majority (62%) deems this impossible. Three-in-ten respondents who have no gay or lesbian friends or relatives (30%)—as well as two-in-five Republicans (40%)—believe gays and lesbians can be converted into heterosexuals through prayer.

Analysis

Since the survey conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion on this same topic a year ago, support for same-sex marriage in the United States has clearly risen, and is now on the verge of reaching 50 per cent. In another sweeping change, there is now a split in the question about the definition of marriage, which last year was dominated by the group that would limit it as between a man and a woman.

The notion of praying for the purported conversion of gays and lesbians is rejected by a large majority of respondents, but appears to be more popular among Republicans and Americans who have no homosexual friends or relatives.

Overall, the views expressed in this survey are marked by generational lines. Respondents born before 1946 and Baby Boomers are definitely not as welcoming to same-sex marriage as the members of Generation X and Generation Y. In fact, only one-in-four respondents born after 1979 would define marriage as between a man and a woman.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 20 to July 21, 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,007 randomly selected American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 2,004 British adults, 43 per cent of respondents believe same-sex couples in the UK should be allowed to legally marry. One third of respondents (34%) think same-sex couples should be allowed to form civil partnerships, but not marry, while 15 per cent of Britons would grant no legal recognition to same-sex couples.

There is a marked generational gap, with respondents born from 1980 to 1995 (57%) and those born from 1965 to 1979 (48%) voicing support for same-sex marriage, compared with 40 per cent of those born from 1946 to 1964 and just 20 per cent of those born before 1946.

In the event a referendum on this matter takes place in the UK—as has been the case in several U.S. states—respondents are evenly split, with 46 per cent of Britons wishing to define marriage as between a man and a woman, and 45 per cent preferring to call it as between two people. Respondents who have gay or lesbian friends and relatives are clearly at odds on this question.

There is little change in the question about homosexuality. A majority of Britons (55%) believe people are born gay, while only one-in-four (25%) think people choose to be homosexual.

Respondents were also asked about an incident that took place in a London pub in April, where Jonathan Williams and James Bull were thrown out for kissing. Almost half of respondents (48%) disagree with the pub’s decision to expel the gay couple, while 41 per cent agree with it.

Analysis

Since the survey conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion on this same topic a year ago, there is little movement on the policy questions. Most respondents are choosing same-sex marriage over civil partnerships, and the same proportion of Britons remains unhappy with any legal recognition to same-sex couples. There is an even split on the referendum question, with a high level of support for a redefinition of marriage coming from respondents who have gay or lesbian friends or relatives.

As was the case last year, the debate over the future of same-sex marriage in Britain is marked by age. Respondents from the two youngest generations are more likely to voice support for new guidelines, while older Britons see no need for change.

Download Full Tables

Download Full Methodology Statement

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 14 to July 18, 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 2,004 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Americans of all political stripes have a similar moral compass on issues such as contraception, divorce and infidelity, but some striking differences become evident when their party allegiance is assessed, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of 1,010 American adults, four-in-five respondents (80%) personally believe that contraception is morally acceptable.

At least half of respondents across the country feel the same way about gambling (68%), divorce (64%), sexual relations between an unmarried man and woman (64%), the death penalty (63%), medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos (55%) and having a baby outside of marriage (52%).

More than a third of respondents think six other issues are morally acceptable: buying and wearing clothing made of animal fur (43%), sexual relations between two people of the same sex (40%), abortion (37%), doctor-assisted suicide (36%), medical testing on animals (34%) and pornography (33%).

Only a quarter of respondents believe prostitution (25%) and cloning animals (24%) are morally acceptable. Less than one-in-five feel the same way about using illegal drugs (18%), suicide (14%), polygamy (12%), cloning humans (11%), married men and/or women having an affair (8%) and pedophilia (4%).

Political Allegiance

Republicans are clearly not in agreement with Democrats and Independents on seven of the issues that were included in the survey, including medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos (46%), having a baby outside of marriage (38%), abortion (27%), sexual relations between two people of the same sex (22%), pornography (22%), prostitution (16%) and illegal drugs (9%).

Democrats are more likely than the other two groups to find each issue as “morally acceptable” with the exception of three: the death penalty (57%), buying and wearing clothing made of animal fur (35%) and medical testing on animals (33%).

Independents are more likely to find sexual relations between an unmarried man and woman (73%) doctor-assisted suicide (42%), cloning animals (30%) and polygamy (16%) as “morally acceptable.”

Analysis

Republicans are evidently less accepting than other Americans when it comes to specific issues related to sex (same-sex relations, pornography and prostitution), and life (abortion, embryonic stem cell research). Democrats are at the other side of the spectrum on the treatment of animals (fur and medical testing) and are less likely to endorse the death penalty.

Independents are slightly closer to the Republicans on some moral issues (such as the death penalty and animal fur) and tend to side with the Democrats on others (such as prostitution and embryonic stem cell research).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Communications & Media Relations
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From September 30 to October 1, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,010 American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

In addition, 32 per cent of Americans think same-sex couples should not have any kind of legal recognition.

In Britain, 41 per cent of respondents support same-sex marriage, while 37 per cent prefer the concept of civil partnerships. In Canada, 61 per cent think same-sex couples should continue to be allowed to legally marry.

In 2004, marriage certificates were issued to same-sex couples by local governments in the states of California, Oregon, New Mexico and New York. In May 2004, the state of Massachusetts allowed gay and lesbian partners to apply for marriage licenses. Same-sex marriage is also legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and the District of Columbia.

In May 2008, California’s Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriage in a 4-3 decision, effectively allowing full marriage rights to homosexual partners. In November 2008, 52.5 per cent of voters in California endorsed Proposition 8, which seeks to amend the state Constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.

A U.S. District Court is currently reviewing the constitutional validity of California’s Proposition 8. The case was filed after Kristin Perry and Sandra Steir were denied a marriage license in the Alameda County in May 2009, because they are both women. It is expected that the case will eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which may have to rule about the validity of same-sex marriage at the federal level.

Last month, British Prime Minister David Cameron discussed his views on same-sex unions, saying, "I am pleased to announce that we are taking a further step, and I think a good step and a right step—and I say this as someone who believes in marriage, who believes in civil partnership, who believes in commitment—and that is to say that if religious organizations, if churches, if mosques, if temples want to have civil partnerships celebrated at religious places of worship, that should be able to happen and we should make that happen."

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland and Argentina. At least 24 countries offer some form of legal recognition to same-sex unions.

Polling Data

Canada – Which of these statements comes closer to your own point of view on the legal recognition of same-sex couples in Canada?

United States – Which of these statements comes closer to your own point of view on the legal recognition of same-sex couples in the U.S.?

Britain – Which of these statements comes closer to your own point of view on the legal recognition of same-sex couples in the UK?

Complete Poll (PDF)

A comprehensive three-country survey on attitudes towards homosexuality reveals that Canadians and Britons are more inclined to support the legal recognition of same-sex couples than Americans.

The online survey of representative national samples of 1,003 Canadian adults, 1,002 American adults, and 1,980 British adults shows that younger generations are clearly more accepting of same-sex relations. However, the poll also confirms that younger Americans—born between 1980 and 1995—are more conservative than their Canadian and British counterparts in all matters related to homosexuality.

Same-Sex Marriage

Three-in-five Canadians (61%) want same-sex marriage to remain legal in their country. In Britain, two-in-five respondents (41%) support legalizing same-sex marriage, while just over a third of respondents in the United States (36%) concur.

A quarter of Canadians (23%) would prefer to see same-sex couples establishing civil unions. The same proportion of Americans (23%) agrees with this concept (23%), while in Britain this is the preferred course of action for 37 per cent of respondents.

The U.S. holds the highest proportion of respondents who believe that couples of the same sex should not be entitled to any legal recognition (32%). Only 15 per cent of Britons and 13 per cent of Canadians hold this view.

Referendums on Definition of Marriage

The survey asked Americans and Britons to pretend they have to vote in a referendum—such as the many ballots that have been held in several American states already—to establish a definition of marriage. Most Americans (54%) would vote to define marriage as between a man and a woman, and just over a third (36%) would vote to define it as a union between two people. The vote would be tighter in Britain, where 47 per cent choosing the first option, and 42 per cent voting for the latter.

Proposition 8

In California, Proposition 8 restored the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, and effectively banned same-sex marriages in the state. A U.S. District Court is reviewing the constitutional validity of Proposition 8, but the case is expected to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which may end up ruling about the validity of same-sex marriage at the federal level.

American respondents were asked about their expectations on an eventual Supreme Court ruling on this matter. Almost half (47%) expect the Supreme Court to define marriages federally as between a man and a woman, while only three-in-ten (31%) think the ruling will define it as a union between two people.

As for their own personal preference on how the Supreme Court should rule, a majority of Americans (55%) would like to see a federal definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.

Homosexuality

In the question of preference versus biology, a majority of Canadians (59%) and Britons (56%) think that homosexuality is something people are born with. Conversely, 44 per cent of Americans say people choose to be homosexuals, while a smaller proportion (37%) thinks people are born this way.

Gay and Lesbian Celebrities

One fifth of American respondents (20%) say that if their favourite actor announced he is gay, their opinion of him would worsen. This compares to just 10 per cent of Canadians and nine per cent of Britons who would feel the same way.

Americans (18%) are also more likely than Canadians and Britons (both at 9%) to say that their opinion of their favourite actress would change for the worse if she came out as a lesbian.

A quarter of Americans (25%) admit that, if their favourite male sports figure came out as gay, their opinion of him would worsen—along with 14 per cent of Canadians and 11 per cent of Britons.

The impact on a female sports figure’s popularity would be milder if she were to announce she is a lesbian, with 18 per cent of Americans, nine per cent of Canadians and eight per cent of Britons saying that they would think less of her.

Generational Gap

Older respondents in all three countries are clearly more resistant to accept same-sex relations than those in younger generations. In Canada, 43 per cent of respondents born before 1946 support the continuous legality of same-sex marriages. At the other end of the spectrum, 81 per cent of Canadians born after 1980 feel the same way.

In the U.S., there is little difference in opinions between respondents born between 1965 and 1979 and those born after 1980: 42 per cent in the first group and 48 per cent in the latter support same-sex marriage.

In Britain, the two youngest generations are not too far apart: 52 per cent of those born from 1965 to 1979 and 56 per cent of the youngest respondents support same-sex marriage. However, only 35 per cent of people born from 1946 to 1964 concur.

Friends and Relatives

Throughout the survey, it is clear that respondents in all three countries who have a friend or relative who is gay or lesbian are more inclined than others to come out in favour of legal rights for same-sex couples.

Support for same-sex marriage among respondents with gay or lesbian friends or relatives stands at 67 per cent in Canada, 54 per cent in Britain, and 49 per cent in the United States. However, respondents who do not have any gay or lesbian friends or relatives are not as supportive (50% in Canada, 29% in Britain and 20% in the U.S.).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 12 to July 16, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,003 Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panellists, 1,002 American adults who are Springboard America panellists, and 1,980 British adults who are Springboard UK panellists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1% for Canada and the United States, and 2.2% for Great Britain. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Canada, the US and Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Homosexuality was considered as a crime in Guatemala until 1871. The country does not currently convey any sort of legal recognition to same-sex partnerships.

Guatemalan voters elected a new president in November 2007. Final results gave Álvaro Colom of the left-leaning National Union of Hope (UNE) 52.82 per cent of the vote. His run-off contender, Otto Pérez Molina of the right-leaning Patriot Party (PP), finished second with 47.18 per cent of all cast ballots. Colom was sworn in as president in January 2008.

During his campaign, Colom rejected calls to review the issue of the legal status of same-sex couples, saying, "God said Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve."

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal and Iceland. At least 24 countries offer some form of legal recognition to same-sex unions.

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with allowing homosexual couples to get married, just like heterosexual couples do?

In addition, 58 per cent of respondents say they would prefer a ruling that defines marriage federally as between a man and a woman.

In 2004, marriage certificates were issued to same-sex couples by local governments in the states of California, Oregon, New Mexico and New York. In May 2004, the state of Massachusetts allowed gay and lesbian partners to apply for marriage licenses. Same-sex marriage is also legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire.

Civil union and domestic partnership laws in California, the District of Columbia, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington, grant same-sex couples nearly all state-level rights and obligations of marriage—in areas such as inheritance, income tax, insurance and hospital visitation. Other forms of domestic partnership exist in Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland and Wisconsin. There are more than 1,000 federal-level rights of marriage that cannot be granted by states.

In May 2008, California’s Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriage in a 4-3 decision, effectively allowing full marriage rights to homosexual partners. In November 2008, 52.5 per cent of voters in California endorsed Proposition 8, which seeks to amend the state Constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.

A U.S. District Court is currently reviewing the constitutional validity of California’s Proposition 8. The case was filed after Kristin Perry and Sandra Steir were denied a marriage license in the Alameda County in May 2009, because they are both women. It is expected that the case will eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which may have to rule about the validity of same-sex marriage at the federal level.

Attorney David Boies—who is representing Perry—expressed confidence in a positive outcome, declaring, "We came in to this trial stating we would prove three things: that marriage is a fundamental right; that denying same-sex marriage hurts gays and lesbians and their children; and that there is no benefit to society in denying gays from marrying."

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway and Sweden. At least 20 countries offer some form of legal recognition to same-sex unions.

Polling Data

As you may know, a U.S. District Court is reviewing the constitutional validity of California’s Proposition 8, which restored the definition of marriage in California as being between a man and a woman. It is expected that the case will eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which may end up ruling about the validity of same-sex marriage at the federal level. If this case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court, what do you expect the outcome to be? If this case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court, what do you expect the outcome to be?

And, if this case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court, what would you prefer the outcome to be?

Complete Poll (PDF)

As a District Court in the United States reviews the validity of a ballot vote that restored the definition of marriage in California as a heterosexual union, most Americans predict that an eventual Supreme Court ruling on the matter will uphold this view, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In November 2008, Californians voted in favor of Proposition 8, which overturned a California Supreme Court ruling stating that couples of the same sex have the right to marry. A U.S. District Court is currently studying the constitutional validity of Proposition 8, which effectively restored the definition of marriage in California. The case could eventually be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,000 American adults, 52 per cent of respondents say that, if the Supreme Court reviews the Proposition 8 case, they expect the judges to rule that marriage is between a man and a woman. Only 28 per cent of Americans think the U.S. Supreme Court will define marriage federally as a union between two people, regardless of gender.

A majority of Americans (58%) would prefer Supreme Court judges to rule that marriage is heterosexual only, while 34 per cent would like a federal definition of marriage without gender limitations.

Views on Same-Sex Unions

Americans remain divided on the issue of same-sex marriage. A third of respondents (34%) think couples of the same gender should be allowed to marry, while 26 per cent say they should only be allowed to form civil unions. Three-in-ten people (31%) believe that gay and lesbian couples should have no legal recognition. There has been little change in this question since an Angus Reid survey conducted in August 2009.

If a referendum on the matter took place in their own state, 58 per cent of respondents would vote in favor of defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Only a third (34%) would vote to define marriage as between two people, regardless of gender.

Breakdowns

Women (37%) and respondents aged 18 to 34 (45%) are more likely to express support for the right of same-sex couples to marry than men (30%) and older respondents (27% to 30%).

Also, women (35%) are only slightly more prone than men (32%) to prefer an eventual Supreme Court ruling favoring marriages between two people regardless of gender. Americans aged 18 to 34 (41%) are also much more likely to want this than those aged 35-54 (32%) and those aged 55 and older (28%).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs
+604 647 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Regarding adoption by same-sex couples, 68.4 per cent of respondents oppose this notion, whereas 21.7 per cent support it.

The Socialist Party (PS) won the February 2005 parliamentary ballot, garnering 45.3 per cent of the vote and electing 121 lawmakers to the 230-seat Assembly of the Republic. Socialist leader Jose Socrates took over as prime minister in March.

In the September 2009 election, the Socialists secured 36.6 per cent of the vote and 97 seats, earning a minority mandate. Socrates was ratified as prime minister.

Homosexuality was considered as a crime in Portugal until 1982. In 2001, the country allowed same-sex couples to be registered as civil unions, with specific legal, tax and property rights.

On Jan. 8, the Assembly of the Republic voted 125-99 to legalize same-sex marriage in Portugal. The bill modifies existing legislation, and states that marriage is between "two people" and not "two people of different genders." It will come into effect as soon as it is signed into law by Portuguese president Anibal Cavaco Silva.

After the vote, Socrates declared: "I am of a generation—as we all are—which is not proud of the way it treated homosexuals. (…) It’s a slight change to the law, it’s true. But it is a very important and symbolic step towards fully ensuring respect for values that are essential in any democratic, open and tolerant society: the values of freedom, equality and non-discrimination."

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway and Sweden. At least 20 countries offer some form of legal recognition to same-sex unions.

Polling Data

Do you favour or oppose same-sex marriage?

Do you favour or oppose adoption by same-sex couples?

Source: Eurosondagem / Expresso
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,030 Portuguese adults, conducted from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, 2009. Margin of error is 3 per cent.