NEWSWEEK poll: Gay marriage support skyrocketing

Despite recent votes.

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...Americans continue to find civil unions for gays and lesbians more palatable than full-fledged marriage. Fifty-five percent of respondents favored legally sanctioned unions or partnerships, while only 39 percent supported marriage rights. Both figures are notably higher than in 2004, when 40 percent backed the former and 33 percent approved of the latter. When it comes to according legal rights in specific areas to gays, the public is even more supportive. Seventy-four percent back inheritance rights for gay domestic partners (compared to 60 percent in 2004), 73 percent approve of extending health insurance and other employee benefits to them (compared to 60 percent in 2004), 67 percent favor granting them Social Security benefits (compared to 55 percent in 2004) and 86 percent support hospital visitation rights (a question that wasn't asked four years ago). In other areas, too, respondents appeared increasingly tolerant. Fifty-three percent favor gay adoption rights (8 points more than in 2004), and 66 percent believe gays should be able to serve openly in the military (6 points more than in 2004)....

NEWSWEEK Poll: A Gay Marriage Surge: Public support grows

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Updated On: 12/6/08 at 11:22 PM

Americans continue to find civil unions for gays and lesbians more palatable than full-fledged marriage.

What is this? throwing us a bone!

J*

I agree with Luscious, and I almost never agree with Luscious.`

Jay--you can campaign to call it whatever you want AFTER I get my rights.

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I too agree with Luscious. I have always felt that the gay community should have gone for the rights in civil unions before pushing for gay marriage. JMO

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Marriage support is up 6 points from the last poll.

The astonishing numbers are on the individual rights:

* 74 percent back inheritance rights for gay domestic partners (compared to 60 percent in 2004)

* 73 percent approve of extending health insurance and other employee benefits (compared to 60 percent in 2004)

* 67 percent favor granting Social Security benefits (compared to 55 percent in 2004)

* an almost universal 86 percent support hospital visitation rights (a question that wasn't asked four years ago)

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