Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

New Yorkers Split Over Gay Marriage

March 17, 2004

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Abstract: (CPOD) Mar. 17, 2004 - Residents of New York City are split over the concept of wedlock for gay and lesbian partners, according to a poll by the New York Daily News. 47 per cent of respondents say marriages between homosexuals should be illegal, while 40 per cent disagree.

(CPOD) Mar. 17, 2004 - Residents of New York City are split over the concept of wedlock for gay and lesbian partners, according to a poll by the New York Daily News. 47 per cent of respondents say marriages between homosexuals should be illegal, while 40 per cent disagree.

The New York state community of New Paltz issued certificates for same-sex partners in the past weeks. Two Unitarian Universalist ministers --Kay Greenleaf and Dawn Sangrey-- were charged with multiple counts of "solemnizing a marriage without a license" on Mar. 15. The ministers performed 13 ceremonies for same-sex couples. Jason West, mayor of New Paltz, pleaded "not guilty" to similar charges on Mar. 5.

On Feb. 24, U.S. 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.

Polling Data

Do you think same-sex marriage should be legal or illegal?

Legal

40%

Illegal

47%

Source: The New York Daily News
Methodology: Interviews to 507 New York City adults, conducted on Mar. 10 and Mar. 11, 2004. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.