Poll: Support strong for gay marriage in New York State

[ccharles000]

(New York City) A new poll shows that nearly three-quarters of voters in New York State support recognition of same-sex couples, but are divided on whether that should be marriage or civil unions.

The Quinnipiac University found that 41 percent support gay marriage, while 33 percent favored civil unions. Only 19 percent said same-sex couples should have no legal recognition in the state.

Support for both marriage and civil unions was highest among Democrats.

On a state-wide basis Democrats supported marriage 49 percent, as opposed to 31 percent for Republicans. Independents supported gay marriage by 41 percent.

On the question of civil unions it was closer - 29 percent for Democrats and 35 percent for Republicans. Independents accounted for 40 percent.

In the more conservative upstate 35 percent of voters supported marriage while 31 percent supported civil unions.

The poll of 1,528 registered voters was taken this month.

The poll numbers were almost identical to a Quinnipiac poll a year ago, but significantly higher than in 2007 when the state was evenly split between marriage and civil unions with each receiving 35 percent support.

Openly gay New York Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell (D) said its time to enact a marriage equality bill.

“We can get married in Iowa, we can get married in Vermont, we can get married in Massachusetts, we can get married in Connecticut. I think it’s time I should get married in New York,” O’Donnell said.

In 2006, the New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, ruled that same-sex couples do not have a constitutional right to marry. It said that the issue, however, could be taken up by the legislature.

Legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry in New York State passed the Assembly in 2007 but the then-GOP controlled Senate refused to take up the bill.

Democrats now control the Senate, but State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D) has said he does not have the votes to pass marriage equality legislation.

http://www.365gay.com/news/poll-support-strong-for-gay-marriage-in-new-york-state/

[ccharles000]

1. kick

[DKRC]

2. K&R!

:hi:

[ccharles000]

3. ...

:hi:

[KamaAina]

4. As I recall, same-sex marriage is not explicitly banned in NY

it's a regulation of the state Department of Health. The mayor of New Paltz (a very progressive small college town; he's a Green!) got in trouble for openly flouting this at one point.

[tabbycat31]

5. they will recognize gay marriage

when the couple was married in another state or country.