SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC OPINION

Advocates of same-sex marriage generally hold that marriage and its benefits should not be denied to same-sex couples, and that such a denial infringes one or more of their rights as American citizens. Critics of same-sex marriage generally hold that marriage should be defined as only consisting of a union of one man and one woman, a so-called "traditional marriage," and that no rights exist that should compel a state to recognize any relationships to the contrary of that definition.
Many people make a distinction between same-sex marriage and civil unions, which would provide same-sex couples some legal rights. Although only about 3 in 10 Americans think gay and lesbian people should be allowed to marry, there is larger support for permitting civil unions . All in all, over half of Americans support some type of legal recognition for same-sex couples who wish to make a long-term commitment. Forty percent think same-sex couples' relationships ought to have no legal recognition.^[1]
Opposition correlated with level of religious attendance, older age, Republican Party affiliation and residing in the southern states. Levels of support were higher among the young, non-church going, Democratic Party affiliated and those who lived in the Northeast United States. On July 4, 2005, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ endorsed a same-sex marriage resolution making the UCC the first major U.S. Christian denomination to approve same-sex marriages.
In some states, particularly in the northeastern and some western states, a majority of people have expressed support for same-sex marriage in some polls. A Massachusetts poll conducted in October 2003 estimated that 59 percent of registered voters believed that gay or lesbian couples should have the right to enter into civil marriage.^[2] Previous polls in Hawaii and New Jersey have shown majorities supporting same-sex marriage. However, in states where the issue was put to voters, the amendments almost always passed with a greater margin than was previously indicated in polls. That being said, it is a good possibility that even in Massachusetts, it is unclear whether or not a majority actually favors same-sex marriage. Opposition is greatest in the southern states, where same-sex marriage (and any recognition of same-sex couples) is overwhelmingly opposed.

Contents

Polls

CBS

Pew Research

References

Polls

The most recent national poll on same-sex marriage in the United States was conducted in June 2006 by ABC News. The poll found that the majority (58%) of Americans remained opposed to same-sex marriages, while the minority (36%) support them. However, on the question of a constitutional amendment, more are now opposed than for it. The majority (51%) of Americans say the issue should be left for the states to decide, while 43% would agree with amending the Constitution.^[3]
Prior to this poll, Gallup conducted a poll on the issue through May 2006. The poll found opposition to same-sex marriage had fallen slightly, as other polls found a sharper dip. In the poll, when asked if marriages between homosexuals should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages, 58% (down 1 point from Aug 2005, and 9 points from March 1996) of Americans responded that they should not be recognized. 39% (up 2 points from Aug 2005, and 12 points from 1996) felt same-sex marriages should be recognized by law. If "homosexuals" is replaced with "same-sex couples", 42% back same-sex marriage while 56% oppose it.
A similar poll conducted in March of 2006, a Princeton Survey Research Associates / Pew Research Center poll concluded 39% of Americans support same-sex marriage, while 51% oppose it, and 10% were undecided. In December 2004, a poll by the same company found 61% of Americans opposed - with 38% "strongly opposed". Now, less than 2 years later, just 23% are "strongly opposed". However, an identical poll taken by the same group in June 2006 found a rise in those opposed to same-sex marriage, with 56% disapproving of the practice.
The most recent poll prior to this also showed opposition to gay marriages had fallen. An Opinion Dynamics / Fox News poll released April 06th of 2006. According to this poll, 55% of Americans oppose same-sex marriage, 33% support it, and 11% are unsure of where they stand.
CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. April 29-May 1, 2005. Adults nationwide.
"Do you think marriages between homosexuals should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?" N=492, MoE ± 5 (Form A)
In the following table, "Y" means "Should Be Valid"; "N" means "Should Not Be Valid"; and "U" means "Unsure".

Poll Date	Y	N	U
4/29-5/1/2005	39	56	5
3/18-3/20/2005	28	68	4
7/19-7/21/2004	32	62	6
3/5-3/7/2004	33	61	6
2/16-2/17/2004	32	64	4
2/6-2/8/2004	36	59	5
12/2003	31	65	4
10/2003	35	61	4
6/2003	39	55	6
1/2000	34	62	4
2/1999	35	62	3
3/1996	27	68	5

CBS

CBS News poll conducted February 24-28, 2005 Law and Civil Rights, PollingReport.com. (Accessed July 5, 2006) asking:

★ '"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 couple's relationship."'

	Legal marriage	Civil union	No recognition	Unsure
All political parties	23%	34%	41%	2%
Republicans	8%	37%	54%	1%
Democrats	29%	35%	34%	2%
Independents	30%	29%	37%	4%
Trend over time
November 18-21, 2004	21%	32%	44%	3%
July 11-15, 2004	28%	31%	38%	3%
May 20-23, 2004	28%	29%	40%	3%
March 10-14, 2004	22%	33%	40%	5%

★ The same CBS News Poll highlighting regional, political party affiliations and age differences in views. May 20 - 23, 2004. Nationwide:

Demographic	Marriage	Civil union	No recognition
All	28%	29%	40%
Republicans	13%	33%	53%
Democrats	32%	28%	36%
Independents	37%	27%	33%
18-29 years	43%	32%	25%
30-44	29%	25%	44%
45-64	26%	29%	41%
65 & older	12%	32%	51%
Northeast	35%	31%	33%
Midwest	26%	23%	47%
South	23%	26%	48%
West	31%	36%	28%

Pew Research

The Pew Research Center/Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey poll asking:

★ '"Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally?"' (Margin of error three percent)

Date	Favor	Oppose	Unsure
July 13-17 2005	36%	53%	11%
December 1-16, 2004	32%	61%	7%
August 5-10, 2004	29%	60%	11%
July 2004	32%	56%	12%
March 2004	32%	59%	9%
February 2004	30%	63%	7%
November 2003	30%	62%	8%
October 2004	30%	58%	12%

★ '"Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into legal agreements with each other that would give them many of the same rights as married couples?' (Margin of error three percent)

Date	Favor	Oppose	Unsure
July 13-17, 2005	53%	40%	7%
August 5-10, 2004	48%	45%	7%
July 2004	49%	43%	8%
March 2004	49%	44%	7%
October 2003	45%	47%	8%

Pew has since done another study in March 2006 and found that only 51% oppose gay marriage, with 39% supporting it, and the level of "strongly opposing" gay marriage has fallen from 42% to 28%.^[4]

References

1. ''Poll: Few Favor Same-Sex Marriage'', CBS/Associated Press, March 15, 2004. (Accessed July 5, 2006)
2. http://www.uua.org/news/2003/freedomtomarry/PollMemoOct29.pdf.
3. Buchanan, Wyatt, ''Resistance to same-sex marriage drops across U.S'', San Francisco Chronicle, March 24, 2006. (Accessed July 5, 2006)
4. ''Less Opposition to Gay Marriage, Adoption and Military Service'', The Pew Research Center, March 22, 2006. (Accessed July 5, 2006)