NewsMax Wires
Monday, May 17, 2004

The poll shows that a majority (51%) of adults approve of some form of legal recognition for gay and lesbian couples; 28 percent say they favor full marriage rights, while 23 percent favor civil unions or partnerships but not gay marriage.

But more than four in 10 (43%) oppose any form of legal recognition. Big differences in attitudes toward gay marriage are seen by age group. Almost two-thirds (64%) of young adults aged 18-29 favor some form of legal recognition for same-sex couples; 41 percent favor full marriage rights, 23 percent favor civil unions and 34 percent oppose any form of legal recognition.

Among Americans aged 30 to 49, 34 percent support gay marriage and 20 percent civil unions, while 40 percent oppose all legal recognition. And among 50 to 64 years olds, 23 percent support marriage, 27 percent civil unions and 46 percent no legal recognition. In contrast, seniors aged over 65 are least likely to favor full marriage rights (8%) and most likely to oppose any form of gay marriage (57%).

This poll is part of the May 24 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, May 17). For this Newsweek Poll, Princeton Survey Research Associates International interviewed 1, 010 adults aged 18 and older on May 13-14, 2004. The margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points.

Editor's note: