Current Affairs

Poll: Gay marriage support rises to 59% in California

Feb 29 2012
Written by Stephen Gray

Results of a poll issued today indicate support for allowing gay marriages again in California has risen to 59%.

The state revoked citizens’ short-lived right to marry regardless of sex after a vote on the Proposition 8 ballot measure in 2008.

The Ninth District Court of Appeal recently upheld Judge Vaughn Walker’s 2010 ruling that the voter-initiated ban violated the equal protection clause in the United States constitution by denying gays and lesbians the right to marry.

That decision has been stayed pending appeals, leaving the gay marriage ban in place.

Advocates have welcomed the results of the Field Poll, which comes over three years since the original ballot measure.

John Lewis, Marriage Equality USA’s Legal Director said: “Today’s poll results mark a turning point in public opinion in favor of the freedom to marry for all loving, committed same-sex couples in California.

“Coupled with the Ninth Circuit’s opinion striking down Proposition 8 earlier this month and legislative victories in the states of Washington, New Jersey, and Maryland, the momentum in favor of marriage equality has never been stronger.”

59% of those asked supported equal marriage rights for gays, 34% disapproved and 7% had no opinion.

Stuart Gaffney, Marriage Equality USA’s Media Director added: “Every day that Prop. 8’s political backers continue this litigation, lesbian and gay couples and their families are being hurt.

“Today’s Field Poll shows that a clear majority of Californians now believe that it’s time for Prop. 8 to go and for all Californians once again to be able to marry the person they love.

According to Field Poll figures, equal marriage had majority support for the first time in 2008, at 51%. In 2009 it was at 49%, in 2010 it had risen to 51% again. The latest figures show a 25% lead of marriage supporters over opponents.

1,003 of California’s registered voters were polled.