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U.S. Poll: Increased Opposition to Gay “Marriage” and Adoptions But Support For Civil Unions

By Peter J. Smith

WASHINGTON, August 17, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A recent poll indicates that support for traditional marriage and family has surged, with more Americans opposed to same-sex “marriage” and adoptions by homosexuals. However, support for homosexual civil unions, still remains strong among Americans, possibly indicating a lack of political leadership on the matter.
 
A comparison of two 2006 Pew Research Polls reported by Angus Reid Global Scan indicates that opposition to same-sex “marriage” and gay adoptions increased substantially within the short time from March to July.

In July 2006, Pew Research Center for the People and the Press conducted a poll revealing that support for traditional marriage had climbed to 56%, with only 35% in favor of “allowing gays and lesbians to legally marry”. That number rose from a March 2006 low ebb of 51% opposed to same-sex “marriage” - the lowest Pew number recorded on the issue since opposition spiked to 63% following the Massachusetts Supreme Court decision to legalize homosexual “marriage”.

Also, a clear majority now opposes homosexual couples adopting children. When asked, “do you favor or oppose allowing gays and lesbians to adopt children?” over 52% of respondents opposed homosexual adoptions, while 42% were in favor. The percentage change differs significantly from the March 2006 poll results of 48% opposed and 46% in favor of homosexual adoptions.

Pro-family defenders point to the visible leadership of politicians like President Bush pushing for a constitutional marriage amendment, and efforts from pro-family campaigners to publicize marriage referenda in seven states. During these months, more Americans became aware about the issues at stake after President Bush came out in June to ask Congress for a federal amendment to the US Constitution protecting marriage. State pro-marriage initiatives have also caught public attention while facing fierce legal challenges from homosexual activists doggedly opposed to the people’s exercise of democracy in protecting traditional marriage.

However, the polls indicate no change in American’s support for homosexual civil unions. 54% of Americans supported some sort of civil unions. 42% were opposed when asked about their opinion over “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”. The statistic shows barely any change from a July 2005 Pew poll showing 53% in favor, and 40% opposed to granting civil unions for homosexual couples.

Many pro-family defenders believe that while increased leadership from US politicians has rallied support for traditional marriage and family, too many prominent pro-family leaders have been willing to compromise over homosexual civil unions.
 
According to Robert Knight, Director of Culture and Family at Concerned Women for America, America’s leaders have not warned Americans enough that homosexual civil unions constitute as much a danger as same-sex marriage to the fabric of society.

“Too many pro-family leaders and politicians have gone to the fall back position, which is to discuss the importance of marriage, but not the detrimental effects of homosexuality on individuals and society. So the public thinks that if they defend marriage, then that’s all it will take to keep a family friendly community.”

Knight added, “Civil unions are just as damaging to the social fabric just as gay marriage would be, because they announce the state is supporting homosexuality and imposing that understanding on the rest of society. It’s not enough to support marriage. It’s time to educate people about the dangers of homosexuality and the fact that it is preventable and treatable.”

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