(02/19/13) -

Half of Americans Would Allow Same-Sex Marriage

Age, political leanings and views on homosexuality are the main factors in defining support on this issue.

Half of people in the United States would consent to gay and lesbian couples marrying legally, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,006 American adults, 44 per cent of respondents think same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry.

One-in-five respondents (21%) want same-sex couples to form civil unions but not marry, while one-in-four (26%) would not offer any kind of legal recognition to same-sex couples.

Support for gay and lesbian marriage using this question is highest among respondents aged 18-to-34 (58%), Democrats (also 58%) and Independents (49%).

Americans who believe homosexuality is “something people choose to be” are more likely to reject any kind of legal recognition for same-sex couples (48%). Conversely, more than two thirds of those who believe homosexuality is something “people are born with” (69%) voice support for same-sex marriage.

A second question offered only two choices to respondents. Half of Americans (50%) would prefer for same-sex couples to be allowed to legally marry, while 42 per cent disagree with this idea.

Support for same-sex marriage using the second question reaches 64 per cent among respondents aged 18-to-34, as well as a plurality of those aged 35-to-54 (48% to 44%). A majority of Americans aged 55 and over (52%) rejects this notion.

Once again, majorities of Democrats (65%) and Independents (55%) voiced support for same-sex marriage, compared to only 27 per cent of Republicans.

While three-in-four Americans who believe homosexuality is something “people are born with” (76%) support same-sex marriage, almost two thirds who regard homosexuality as “a choice” (64%) disagree.

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 February 11 and February 12, 2013, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,006 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.