(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Spain are in favour of granting official recognition to gay and lesbian partnerships, according to a poll by Instituto Noxa published in La Vanguardia. 66 per cent of respondents support allowing homosexual couples to get married.

The issue of homosexual partners raising children is more contentious. 50 per cent of respondents disagree with allowing same-sex couples who are married to adopt children, while 43 per cent support the possibility,

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero of the Socialist Worker's Party (PSOE) was sworn in as president of the government in April 2004, following his party's victory in the legislative ballot. The conservative Popular Party (PP) had administered the government under José María Aznar since 1996.

In April, the PSOE-dominated Congress of Deputies approved a bill that would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, divorce and adopt children. On Jun. 30, the bill became law after a 187-147 vote. Spain becomes the third country in Europe—after Belgium and the Netherlands—to permit same-sex marriage.

Zapatero said the new regulation provides "for a more decent country, because a decent society does not humiliate its members." PP leader Mariano Rajoy called the law "a grave act of irresponsibility."

On Jul. 12, Carlos Baturín and Emilio Menéndez participated in Spain's first same-sex marriage ceremony in Madrid's Tres Cantos municipality. More than 50 petitions for certificates have been filed by homosexual partners all over the country.

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with allowing homosexual couples to get married?

Do you agree or disagree with allowing same-sex couples who are married to adopt children?

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