(CPOD) Jul. 20, 2004 - The possibility of legal recognition for same-sex partners continues to divide opinions in the United States, according to a poll by CBS News and the New York Times. 28 per cent of respondents say gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to legally marry.

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 U.S.

Civil unions—currently available only in the state of Vermont—give gay and lesbian partners some of the legal rights of married couples such as inheritance, insurance and hospital visiting privileges. 31 per cent of respondents support this concept, while 38 per cent say there should be no legal recognition to same-sex relationships.

On Jul. 10 in his traditional radio address, U.S. president George W. Bush renewed his call for a federal constitutional amendment to block such unions, saying that "American democracy, not court orders, should decide the future of marriage in America." On Jul. 14, the U.S. Senate voted 50 to 48 to end deliberations on the issue.

Polling Data

Which comes closest to your view: Gay couples should be allowed to legally marry; 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?

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