Issue Watch
Track global public opinion on current issues.
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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Same-Sex Marriage Splits Opinions In U.S.
(CPOD) Jun. 1, 2004 - Legal recognition for gay and lesbian partners continues to split views in the United States, according to a poll by CBS News. 25 per cent of respondents say same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry, a six per cent increase since March.
Marriage certificates were issued to same-sex couples by local governments in the states of California, Oregon, New Mexico and New York earlier this year. On May 17, the state of Massachusetts allowed gay and lesbian partners to apply for marriage licenses, the first state-sanctioned homosexual weddings in the United States.
Civil unions—currently available only in the state of Vermont—give same-sex partners some of the legal rights of married couples such as inheritance, insurance and hospital visiting privileges. 29 per cent of respondents support this concept, while 40 per cent say there should be no legal recognition to gay and lesbian relationships.
Many Americans do not think same-sex marriage should become an important topic in this year's electoral race. 70 per cent of respondents say the issue should not be a part of the presidential campaign.
Polling Data
Which comes closest to your view: gay couples should be allowed to legally marry, or gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry, or there should be no legal recognition of a gay couples relationship?
May 2004 | Mar. 2004 | |
Should be allowed to marry | 28% | 22% |
Allowed to form civil unions | 29% | 33% |
No legal recognition | 40% | 40% |
Do you think the issue of gay marriage should be part of this year's election campaign, or not?
May 2004 | Mar. 2004 | |
Yes, major part | 9% | 14% |
Yes, minor part | 20% | 17% |
No, not a part | 70% | 65% |
Source: CBS News
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,113 American adults, conducted from May 20 to May 23, 2004. Margin of error is 3 per cent.