August 13, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States question the legal legitimacy of gay and lesbian partnerships, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 57 per cent of respondents think marriages between homosexuals should not be recognized by the law as valid.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States question the legal legitimacy of gay and lesbian partnerships, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 57 per cent of respondents think marriages between homosexuals should not be recognized by the law as valid.

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, the first state-sanctioned homosexual weddings in the U.S.

Civil union and domestic partnership laws in Vermont, Connecticut, California and New Jersey grant same-sex couples 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 the District of Columbia, Hawaii and Maine. There are more than 1,000 federal-level rights of marriage that cannot be granted by states.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada and South Africa, and at least 18 countries offer some form of legal recognition to same-sex unions.

Earlier this month, several Democratic Party presidential hopefuls participated in a debate on same-sex rights. Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich and former Alaska senator Mike Gravel have openly expressed support for same-sex marriage.

In 1993, the U.S. government implemented the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy in the armed forces. Under these guidelines, commanders are forbidden from asking a service member about his or her sexual orientation, and troops are required to keep their sexual orientation a secret. 57 per cent of respondents oppose this prerogative.

Polling Data

Do you think marriages between homosexuals should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?

Should	40%
Should not	57%
Unsure	3%

Do you favour or oppose the plan in which the U.S. military does not ask new recruits whether they are homosexual, but would still prohibit homosexuals from serving if they reveal their sexual orientation?

Favour	38%
Oppose	57%
Unsure	6%

Source: Opinion Research Corporation / CNN
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,029 American adults, conducted from Aug. 6 to Aug. 8, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.