Public opposition to homosexual 'marriage' up from last year

Public opposition to homosexual 'marriage' up from last year

Pro-family leaders are expressing optimism over a poll that shows public opposition to so-called homosexual "marriage" remains strong. Peter Sprigg with the Family Research Counsel says he's heartened by that finding, while Gary Bauer with American Values says he's encouraged.

A survey by the Pew Research Center finds that 57 percent of Americans oppose same-sex marriage -- that's up 2 percent from last year. Over the same period, according to the survey, the percentage of those who favor same-sex marriage dropped five points to 32 percent. In addition, when asked about the trend of more homosexual couples raising children, 50 percent of respondents said it is bad for society, while only 11 percent said it is good.

Peter Sprigg, vice president for policy at the Family Research Council, says the statistics underscore the large disconnect between the average American and the mainstream media.

"That's a testimony to the common sense of the majority of Americans where you still have this strong resistance to the transformation of the family in the image of homosexuals, despite the drumbeat of support for it that you have from major communications outlets."

Sprigg cites several of those institutions he sees beating that drum. "Certainly the entertainment media, the news media, [and] the academic world would be overwhelmingly in favor of same-sex marriage and in favor of homosexual parenting," he offers; "and yet the common sense of the American people is still prevailing."

In response to the survey, American Values president Gary Bauer said "even after year after year of media bias on marriage, as well as autocratic judges in various states ordering Americans to accept same-sex 'marriage,' the public continues to say 'no.'" Bauer says he finds that "encouraging," noting that when the public is given a chance to vote on the issue, "opposition usually exceeds 65 percent."

The Pew Research Center survey reflects information gathered during telephone interviews of more then 2,000 adults (ages 18 and older) living in the continental United States. The interviews were conducted in February and March 2007.