March 28, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Mar. 28, 2004 - Many residents of the United States are against a law that would allow marriages between homosexuals, according to a poll by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. 53 per cent of respondents oppose the concept of wedlock for gay and lesbian partners.

(CPOD) Mar. 28, 2004 - Many residents of the United States are against a law that would allow marriages between homosexuals, according to a poll by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. 53 per cent of respondents oppose the concept of wedlock for gay and lesbian partners.

On Feb. 24, president George W. Bush asked the U.S. Congress to enact an amendment that would define marriage as the union between a man and a woman. 51 per cent of respondents do not want constitutional changes to ban homosexual wedlock.

Marriage certificates have been issued to same-sex couples in the states of California, Oregon, New Mexico and New York. This past November, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the state's constitution must offer gay and lesbian partners the possibility of getting married.

Civil unions for same-sex partners are available only in the state of Vermont. 41 per cent of respondents support this type of arrangement.

Polling Data

Would you support or oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to get married?

Support	40%
Oppose	53%

Would you support or oppose amending the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage?

Support	41%
Oppose	51%

Would you support or oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to form civil unions, giving them many of the legal rights of married couples?

Support	31%
Oppose	63%

Source: Quinnipiac University Polling Institute
Methodology: Interviews to 1,865 registered American voters, conducted from Mar. 16 to Mar. 22, 2004. Margin of error is 2.3 per cent.