October 10, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many Italians would not grant official recognition to gay and lesbian partnerships, according to a poll by Ispo Ltd. 70 per cent of respondents are opposed to same-sex marriage.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many Italians would not grant official recognition to gay and lesbian partnerships, according to a poll by Ispo Ltd. 70 per cent of respondents are opposed to same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Canada. In May 2004, the state of Massachusetts allowed gay and lesbian partners to apply for marriage licenses, the first state-sanctioned homosexual weddings in the United States.

In 2003, the Vatican expressed concern on the topic through a document titled "Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons." The Church expressed its position on same-sex marriage, asking all Catholics—and especially Catholic politicians—to oppose the legal recognition of gay and lesbian partners.

In June, Pope Benedict XVI openly criticized the New Zealand Labour party's civil union legislation in a meeting with Geoff Ward, New Zealand's envoy to The Vatican. The Pope said New Zealanders "have recognized and celebrated the place of marriage and stable domestic life at the heart of their society. (...) Secular distortions of marriage can never overshadow the splendour of a life-long covenant based on generous self-giving and unconditional love."

Polling Data

Are you in favour or against same-sex marriage?

In favour	27%
Against	70%
Not sure	3%

Source: Ispo Ltd.
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,002 Italian adults, conducted from Sept. 6 to Sept. 12, 2005. No margin of error was provided.