Posted on 03/23/2006 10:47:35 AM PST by metalmanx2j
WASHINGTON - The public backlash over gay marriage has receded since a controversial decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Court in 2003 to legalize those marriages stirred strong opposition, says a poll released Wednesday.
Gay marriage remains a divisive issue, with 51 percent opposing it, the poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press found. But almost two-thirds, 63 percent, opposed gay marriage in February 2004.
"Most Americans still oppose gay marriage, but the levels of opposition are down and the number of strong opponents are down," said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center. "This has some implications for the midterm elections if this trend is maintained. There are gay marriage ballot initiatives in numerous states."
Gay marriage got intense media coverage in 2004 after the Massachusetts court case, the decision by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to issue thousands of marriage licenses to gay couples and similar cases. But the intense focus on gay marriage has declined in the last year.
In 2004, opponents of gay marriage were able to pass ballot initiatives banning the practice in 11 states, from Georgia to Oregon. Those gay marriage initiatives also helped conservatives rally their voters to the polls.
The number of people who say they strongly oppose gay marriage has dropped from 42 percent in early 2004 to 28 percent now. Strong opposition has dropped sharply among senior citizens and Republicans.
People are now evenly split on allowing adoptions by gay couples and six in 10 now favor allowing gays to serve openly in the military.
Legal challenges of laws on gay marriage could result in more court decisions that stir public opinion, but this midterm election year is starting with far less public anxiety about one of the nation's most volatile social issues.
The telephone poll of 1,405 adults was conducted March 8-12 and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
If these lies by "pollsters" are correct, why does every state that votes on Defense of Marriage Acts pass unconditionally, even in Liberal Oregon?
If it failed in Hawaii, it won't succeed on any referendum in the US IMO.
The MSM always lives on the kook fringes and pass of their polls as "most".
Great tag line!! :)
Yup. The gay folk are always right. The folks who are always wrong and stupid, too, are white, straight guys.
ASsuming this poll is even accurate - and that's a giant leap - it's an indication that the law acts as a guide or "teacher." Legalize any behavior and people quickly begin to think it's OK.
That's why it couldn't pass in freakin commie Oregon...
That's why Liberals in Legislatures are trying so hard to prevent the bills banning gay marriage from receiving a vote in an a election year?
They are cooking the polls. Anyone that cites a poll to me I am officially going to disregard from this moment on. Posting such an obviously rigged result proves without doubt their polls are junk.
"Put it on the ballot and see all this marvelous new support vanish into thin air."
No kidding! 11 states put gay marriage on the ballot and 11 states now have traditional marriage laws. The closest was in Oregon with 57% in favor of traditional. In my state of MS, it was 86%.
Wishing-on-a-star poll.
What kind of question is that? "What is the basis for this? (besides religion, eg. public welfare, safety, health, etc.)". Are religion, public welfare and health concerns trivial reasons to oppose homosexuality?
Not that I believe this poll for a second, but I'd sure like to find out how many polls commissioned by the MSM never see that light of day because the results don't fit their socialist agenda. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that they have had polls taken and retaken until they get the results that suit them.
"I think people who oppose homosexual special rights are just getting tired of the fight and I think that is what the homosexuals are counting on. Just wear us down and make enough noise and they will get what they want."
Shock and Yawn?
I didn't give any reason any weight. I meant to say, I already know that one basis for opposition is religion, what are the others?
I should never have asked the question. I'm simply trying to learn about people's perspective on this issue, but simply asking a question is always interpreted as if you're part of the agenda or something. I'm just asking for information that's all. Besides religion, what else is at issue - as in, if we allow gay marriage.....
Yes, support is rising so much for homosexual marriage that senators in my state are fighting tooth and nail to keep the issue from appearing on the ballot in November.
Mmm hmmm. I BELIEVE this poll. /rolleyes
Yeah, especially when you take the poll in SanFran.
Bull$!@#%&#@*!!!!
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