July 24, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Peru would not offer legal recognition to gay and lesbian partnerships, according to a poll by Universidad de Lima. 78.4 per cent of respondents in Lima and Callao disagree with same-sex marriage.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Peru would not offer legal recognition to gay and lesbian partnerships, according to a poll by Universidad de Lima. 78.4 per cent of respondents in Lima and Callao disagree with same-sex marriage.

In April, the Spanish Congress of Deputies approved a bill that would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, divorce and adopt children. On Jun. 30, the bill became law after a 187-147 vote.

On Jun. 28, the House of Commons passed a bill that legalizes same-sex marriage in the entire country after a 158-133 vote. On Jul. 20, the bill became law after a 47-21 Senate vote.

Spain and Canada join Belgium and the Netherlands as the only countries that currently permit same-sex marriage. In May 2004, the American state of Massachusetts allowed gay and lesbian partners to apply for marriage licenses, the first state-sanctioned homosexual weddings in the U.S.

On Jul. 7, the Peruvian Catholic Church issued a communiqué, calling same-sex marriage a "transgression of the natural law" and "an irresponsible attack against human nature and society." 88.9 per cent of respondents believe homosexual couples should not be allowed to adopt children.

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with same-sex marriage?

Agree	18.4%
Disagree	78.4%

Do you agree or disagree with allowing homosexual couples to adopt children?

Agree	10.1%
Disagree	88.9%

Source: Universidad de Lima
Methodology: Interviews to 609 Peruvian adults in Lima and Callao, conducted on Jul. 9 and Jul. 10, 2005. Margin of error is 4.3 per cent.