(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in France are against allowing homosexual couples to legally marry, according to a poll by TNS-Sofres published in Le Nouvel Observateur. 51 per cent of respondents oppose same-sex marriage.

France has allowed civil unions for gay and lesbian couples since 2000. In June 2004, Begles mayor and Green party politician Noël Mamère conducted the country's first ever same-sex wedding, claiming that there are no regulations in the country or the European Union (EU) that could thwart such a ceremony.

Interior minister Dominique de Villepin eventually suspended Mamère from his post as mayor for four weeks, citing a "grave misunderstanding of the duties of his office." At least 56 per cent of respondents in France express opposition to allowing a gay or lesbian couple to adopt children.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Canada, and at least 18 countries offer some form of legal recognition to same-sex unions. More than half of all respondents in France are against same-sex couples resorting to artificial insemination in order to have children.

Earlier this month, prospective presidential candidate Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party (PS) voiced her support for same-sex marriage, saying, "It is essential that everybody has equal rights and dignities and the chance to express themselves freely. Opening up marriage to same-sex couples is needed in the name of equality, visibility and respect."

Polling Data

Do you favour or oppose each of the following?

Archive Search

Over 19,600 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.