(CPOD) May 25, 2004 - Legal recognition for same-sex couples continues to divide public opinion in the United States, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 25 per cent of respondents say gays and lesbians should be allowed to get legally married, a five 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. 26 per cent of respondents support this concept, while 40 per cent say there should be no legal recognition to gay and lesbian relationships.

Polling Data

Do you believe gays and lesbians should be allowed to get legally married, allowed a legal partnership similar to but not called marriage, or should there be no legal recognition given to gay and lesbian relationships?

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