February 24, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Feb. 24, 2004 - Residents of Massachusetts remain split over allowing wedlock for homosexual partners, according to a poll by KRC Communications Research released by the Boston Globe and WBZ-TV. 53 per cent of respondents are opposed to same-sex marriage, while 35 per cent support it.

(CPOD) Feb. 24, 2004 - Residents of Massachusetts remain split over allowing wedlock for homosexual partners, according to a poll by KRC Communications Research released by the Boston Globe and WBZ-TV. 53 per cent of respondents are opposed to same-sex marriage, while 35 per cent support it.

On Nov. 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the state's constitution must offer gay and lesbian couples the possibility of getting married. In the United States, legal status to same-sex partners is offered --in the form of a civil union-- only in the state of Vermont.

Since Feb. 12, the city of San Francisco has issued more than 3,200 marriage certificates to gay and lesbian couples. Mayor Gavin Newsom officiated at one of the ceremonies on Feb. 20.

George W. Bush referred to the recent events in San Francisco as "troubling." The American president has repeatedly stated that his administration intends to limit marriage to heterosexuals.

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose legalizing same-sex marriage?

	Feb. 2004	Nov. 2003
Support	35%	48%
Oppose	53%	43%

Source: KRC Communications Research / The Boston Globe / WBZ-TV
Methodology: Interviews to 400 Massachusetts adults, conducted on Feb. 18 and Feb. 19, 2004. Margin of error is 5 per cent.