(Angus Reid Global Scan) – American adults are split on how to formalize the partnerships of gay and lesbian couples, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 27 per cent of respondents say same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry, 29 per cent support the concept of civil unions, and 40 per cent would not offer legal recognition to homosexual partners.
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – American adults are split on how to formalize the partnerships of gay and lesbian couples, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 27 per cent of respondents say same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry, 29 per cent support the concept of civil unions, and 40 per cent would not offer legal recognition to homosexual partners.
During the January 2004 State of the Union address, United States president George W. Bush said, “Activist judges (…) have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives.”
In 2004, marriage certificates were issued to same-sex couples by local governments in the states of California, Oregon, New Mexico and New York. Last May, the state of Massachusetts allowed gay and lesbian partners to apply for marriage licenses, the first state-sanctioned homosexual weddings in the U.S.
Civil unions—currently available in the states of Vermont and Connecticut—give same-sex partners the same legal rights of married couples such as inheritance, insurance and hospital visiting privileges. A California law grants domestic partners the same legal rights of married couples, with the exception of filing joint income tax returns.
In November, voters in 11 American states enacted amendments to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman. 56 per cent of respondents believe each particular state should make its own laws on homosexual marriage—a five per cent increase since August—while 39 per cent support amending the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
Polling Data
Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should be allowed legally to form civil unions, but not marry, or should not be allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationship?
Allowed to marry | 27% |
Allowed to form civil unions | 29% |
Not allowed legal recognition | 40% |
No opinion | 4% |
Would you support amending the U.S. Constitution to make it against the law for homosexual couples to get married anywhere in the U.S. or should each state make its own laws on homosexual marriage?
Apr. 2005 | Aug. 2004 | |
Support amendment | 39% | 44% |
State laws | 56% | 51% |
No opinion | 5% | 5% |
Source: TNS / Washington Post / ABC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,007 American adults, conducted from Apr. 21 to Apr. 24, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
