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Category Archives: Poll

51% of Ohioans Support True Definition of Marriage

September 4, 2013 – 2:00 pm

A new survey by the Public Religion Research Institute shows that the majority of Ohio residents -- 51% -- do not support a measure to redefine marriage, as opposed to just 45% who would. While the Public Religion Research Institute describes itself as nonpartisan, the poll was funded by the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, which actually promotes same-sex marriage advocacy.

Cleveland.com:

Ohioans are split on the idea of gay marriage and, if the election were today, would not vote to overturn the state's ban on it, a new poll shows.

...when asked about a possible state constitutional amendment to repeal the one that banned gay marriage nearly a decade ago, 51 percent said they would not support the measure, compared with 45 percent who would. The findings seem to validate fears some gay rights groups in Ohio have about moving ahead with their ballot push in 2014.

When given the option to support civil unions, 41 percent favor gay marriage, 30 percent no recognition at all and 23 percent civil unions. But 68 percent – including 61 percent of Republicans – said they favor laws that protect gays from job discrimination.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Law, Marriage, Ohio, Poll, Polling, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

Online Poll: 95% Say Elected Officials Should Enforce Laws as Written

August 28, 2013 – 1:01 pm

Elected officials are defying state law by making unilateral decisions about marriage. Should this be tolerated?

One News Now conducted a poll this week, asking whether duly elected officials should enforce laws as written or if we should allow them to simply assume the role of the courts. What do you think?

By NOM Staff | Posted in Law, Marriage, New Mexico, Politics, Poll, Polling, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

85% of Americans Say Christian Photographer Has Right to Refuse Same-Sex Ceremony

August 23, 2013 – 2:29 pm

We've heard a lot of stories recently about people of faith being forced to compromise their religious beliefs over same-sex marriage (bakery owners in Oregon, a florist in Washington state, innkeepers in Vermont...). But a new Rasmussen poll shows the vast majority of Americans are highly opposed to business owners being penalized or sued for running their business according to their own personal beliefs and values.

In fact, just 8% of the population answered "no" when asked the question "Suppose a Christian wedding photographer has deeply held religious beliefs opposing same-sex marriage. If asked to work a same-sex wedding ceremony, should that wedding photographer have the right to say no?"

More Republicans (96 percent) than Democrats (77 percent) agreed with the photographer's right to deny a gay wedding request. Ninety-seven percent of evangelical Christians and 92 percent of weekly churchgoers said the same. But even 88 percent of atheists agreed that the photographer has the right to say no.

This comes four months after the latest development in the famous Willock v. Elane Photography case, where Vanessa Willock and her partner, Misti Collinsworth, sued Christian couple Elaine and Jon Huguenin for this very denial in 2006. In 2008, the New Mexico Human Rights Commission found the Huguenins guilty of sexual discrimination, and the New Mexico Court of Appeals upheld this ruling last May.

The Alliance Defense Fund, which defended the Huguenins and their company, Elane Photography LLC, has taken their case to the New Mexico Supreme Court. The court heard ADF Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence's oral arguments on March 11. On Wednesday, an ADF spokesman told CP that "ADF attorneys are still waiting for the decision from the New Mexico Supreme Court." -Christian Post

Business owners and employees should never be threatened with legal action for abiding by the tenets of their faith. If you or anyone you know has been threatened, harassed, or intimidated because you believe in the truth about marriage, we want to hear your story. You are not alone.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, MarriageADA, New Mexico, Poll, Polling, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

How Language Affects Poll Results

August 21, 2013 – 1:20 pm

When it comes to marriage polls, wording matters. This is something that same-sex marriage advocates are well-aware of, and we've seen them use it time and time again -- on polls and ballots alike -- in attempts to skew results in their favor.

Take a look at how Americans responded to two different questions on redefining marriage.

Would you approve or disapprove of changing the definition of the word marriage to also include same-sex couples?

39% Approve

56% Disapprove

5% Don’t Know

Do you favor or oppose legalizing same-sex marriage?

46% Favor

47% Opposed

7% Don’t Know

The first question, which makes clear that marriage would be redefined entirely to include same-sex couples, garnered just 39% support. 56% were opposed to the redefinition. But now take a look at the language of the second, shorter question. When asked if they were for or against legalizing same-sex marriage, the results were drastically different.

Why Didn't You Hear About This?

August 21, 2013 – 1:05 pm

Dear Marriage Supporter,

On Monday I wrote to you about all the good things happening in defense of marriage and asked you to make a donation in support of NOM's work to bolster these efforts around the country.

Here's another good thing you probably haven't heard about: two major polls demonstrate that the majority of Americans believe marriage SHOULD NOT BE redefined.

First, a Rice University poll has surfaced showing that a majority of Americans — 53% — STILL believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman! This comparative study demonstrates that the idea that droves of Americans are changing their minds in favor of redefining marriage is a myth.

And today news of a recent Fox News poll has come to light that is even better. Fox asked the question, Would you approve or disapprove of changing the definition of the word marriage to also include same-sex couples?

56% said they would disapprove, while only 39% would approve!

You are not alone. We are winning this battle in the hearts and minds of every day Americans like you.

But the results of these surveys are being largely ignored in the media because they don't fit into the drum beat that says same-sex 'marriage' is "inevitable."

It is this lie of "inevitability" that we need your financial help to overcome. You may remember NOM's five-point plan I outlined several weeks ago. Point #5 is winning the battle in the court of public opinion — to overcome the false perception of "inevitability." These polls prove we are winning this battle.

Supporter, that's why we need your support. The only way we are going to be able to overcome the extremely well-funded group of extremists and a complicit media pushing this radical agenda is if we have sufficient resources to get our message out.

Won't you please make an immediate, generous donation to NOM to support our work today?

We must rally the religious, grassroots base of America to stand up for marriage. We must get on the airwaves and make sure people understand the nature and purpose of marriage and the consequences of redefining it. We must continue win in the court of public opinion.

So, please, consider making a generous donation to NOM so that we can continue building on all the positives in the fight to defend marriage.

Remember, when you make your gift, if you check the box on the donate page indicating that you want your donation to be an automatic, monthly, recurring gift, we will send you a free copy of NOM co-founder Robbie George's book, What is Marriage?: Man and Woman: A Defense — the best resource out there for anyone interested in defending marriage.

God bless you for all you have done in defense of marriage!

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, Poll, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

Poll: Majority of Michigan Voters Want Marriage Defined as Husband and Wife!

August 6, 2013 – 3:23 pm

New poll results out this week show that 51% of Michigan voters are opposed to legislation that would redefine marriage in their state. Just 42% would support such legislation. According to Mlive.com:

A slim majority of likely Michigan voters would oppose legislation or a ballot measure seeking to allow same-sex marriage in the state, according to results of a new statewide poll that seem to contradict other recent surveys.

Denno Research, in a poll conducted for and released Thursday by the Lambert Edwards & Associates public relations firm, asked 600 likely voters whether they would support or oppose attempts to legalize gay marriage through legislation or the ballot box.

All told, more than 51 percent of respondents said they would oppose such efforts, including 34 percent who said they would be strongly opposed. Roughly 42 percent of likely voters said they would support legislation or a ballot issue to allow same-sex marriage, including 18 percent who said they would be strongly supportive.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Michigan, Poll, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

Tories Paying at the Polls for SSM

May 2, 2013 – 12:30 pm

The Christian Institute reports that the Conservative Party in the UK is potentially facing huge losses in tomorrow's elections due to the Prime Minister's policies pushing same-sex marriage:

The ComRes poll, commissioned by the Coalition for Marriage, reveals that one in four of those who voted Conservative in 2010 say the policy is putting them off voting for the Party again.

Asked, “Does the Coalition Government’s plans to legalise same sex marriage make you more or less likely to vote for each of these parties in next week’s local elections?” 26 per cent of Conservative 2010 voters say less likely.

Fewer than one in ten (nine per cent) say they are more likely to vote Tory again because of gay marriage.

And 22 per cent of those polled said they were planning to vote for UKIP, which opposes gay marriage.

Support for SSM Falls in New Zealand

April 20, 2013 – 9:00 am

News from a few weeks ago but a good reminder that attitudes about marriage change over time in both directions:

At last New Zealand's leading newspaper has acknowledged that support for gay marriage has declined ever since a bill to legalise it was introduced six months ago. TheNZ Herald's front page headline today reads, "Gay marriage shock" and the summary beneath it: "Religious sacremongering blamed for surprise increase in Kiwi's opposition to law change". Of course there had to be a sinister reason for Kiwis coming to their senses.

The fact remains that barely half the country supports same-sex marriage legislation which is already two-thirds of its way through Parliament. Asked in a Herald-DigiPoll "Which of the following best fits your view about marriage law? -- It should remain only between a man and a woman. OR It should be changed to allow it to be between same sex couples." -- 48 percent chose the first option and 49.6 percent the second. That's a rise of 7.5 percentage points against gay marriage from a poll last June and a decline of 4 points for it. Those who opted for "Don't know" or refused to answer declined from 6 per cent to 2.4 percent. The uncertain are making up their minds. (MercatorNet)

By NOM Staff | Posted in Australia, Marriage, Poll, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (35)

CNA: Study Shows African Americans Reject Civil, Gay rights Equation

April 4, 2013 – 12:30 pm

CNA:

A new survey of African Americans shows that most disagree with the claim that the effort to promote gay rights is comparable to the historic movement for racial equality.

About 55 percent of respondents to a Zogby Analytics survey said that equal rights for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons are not the same as equal rights for African Americans. Only 28 percent agreed, while 17 percent said they are not sure.

The online survey of 1,002 adults used respondents recruited through partners or random telephone samples. It was commissioned by Robert L. Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, and was conducted Feb. 14 through Feb. 20.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Marriage, Poll, Same Sex Marriage, United for Marriage | Comments (31)

Buyer's Remorse: Strong Majority in Minnesota Opposes Gay Marriage

March 6, 2013 – 1:00 pm

More proof that Minnesotans understand they were sold a bill of goods last November when they were told by gay marriage advocates that there was no plan to redefine marriage for the whole state.

And yet, the same gay marriage activists who also condemned efforts to protect marriage as a "distraction" from the other pressing business of the legislature, are now themselves pushing gay marriage:

A majority of Minnesotans oppose legalizing same-sex marriage, the Star Tribune Minnesota Poll has found.

Fifty-three percent of Minnesotans say the state statute banning same-sex unions should stand. Only 38 percent say legislators should overturn the law this year, while 9 percent are undecided.

The new poll offers a fresh snapshot of an issue that has deeply divided the state. It was just five months ago that Minnesotans rejected a proposal to put the ban into the state’s Constitution. Legislators now are considering bills that would make gay marriage legal.

House Speaker Paul Thissen said he found the poll results surprising, with stronger opposition than has been seen in other samplings. (Star Tribune)

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Poll, Polling, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (24)

Sun Poll: David Cameron "Badly Damaged" by Gay Marriage

February 16, 2013 – 9:00 am

The UK Sun:

David Cameron has been badly damaged by the gay marriage row, a Sun poll reveals today.

The PM’s bid to project a trendy new image has alienated millions of voters, including Tories.
Both supporters AND opponents of same-sex nuptials say they see his party in a worse light than before.

And two-thirds believe the Conservatives are now a divided party, according to the exclusive YouGov poll.

Mr Cameron hoped extending gay rights would help shed the Tories’ “nasty party” image.

But the gamble has backfired with 134 of his MPs — over half — refusing to back him.

A senior party figure said last night: “He managed to win the vote but must now be wondering was it all worth it.”

...The top priority should be the economy, 56 per cent said, followed by immigration, the NHS and unemployment.

Only five per cent think gay rights is most important.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Poll, Same Sex Marriage, United Kingdom | Comments (7)

WPRO: NOM Poll Says RI Wants SSM on Ballot

February 14, 2013 – 9:00 am

WPRO contributes to the growing awareness that Rhode Island voters want to have their say on marriage:

The National Organization for Marriage, Rhode Island Chapter, or NOMRI, released the results of a telephone poll Tuesday, showing that most Rhode Islanders favor the idea of putting same-sex marriage on the ballot.

According to the survey of 401 registered voters, 74 percent said they believed the “definition of marriage should be decided by the voters of Rhode Island,” versus letting the General Assembly make the call.

Those polled also expressed their opinion that the economy should be the legislature’s priority, with 55 percent saying the same-sex marriage issue should be secondary to the economy.

Visit the NOM-RI website for all the latest.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Let The People Vote, Marriage, Poll, Rhode Island, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (4)

GoLocalProv on Poll Showing Rhode Island Wants to Vote on Marriage

February 13, 2013 – 11:30 am

GoLocalProv:

"...Christopher Plante, Regional Coordinator for NOM, said the results are clear and show the measure should be decided at the polls.

“It has been clear for years that the vast majority of people in Rhode Island want and deserve the right to vote on the definition of marriage, just as those in 35 other states,” he said. “This year the State Senate has before it resolution 0096 to put the question to the people. That 78% of respondents agree Rhode Islanders deserve the same opportunity will hopefully move the senate to reject redefining marriage and instead put the decision to the people.”

...Plante says his group isn’t adovacating putting civil rights on the ballot. It’s asking, instead, for a vote on what the definition of marriage is.

“The question is what is marriage?,” he said. “The definition of marriage transcends states, countries, societies and history. Further, the high ground claimed by our opponents that marriage should not be on the ballot is moot. It was our opponents who put marriage on the ballot in Maine and are pushing to marriage on the ballot in at least Ohio and Oregon.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Poll, Rhode Island, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (7)

KSTP Poll: Minnesotans Oppose SSM 54%-42%!

February 7, 2013 – 11:00 am

A new KSTP poll shows that a majority of Minnesotans support retaining laws protecting marriage!

Should the Minnesota state law that defines marriage as between one man and one woman be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry? Or should it be left as it is?

42% Should Be Changed
54% Should Be Left As It Is
4% Not Sure

Asked of 500 Adults

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Poll, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (12)

New Polls Show Increasing Support for Marriage in New Zealand!

January 7, 2013 – 10:30 am

Via the new MercatorNet blog on the future of marriage Conjugality:

The following press release provides an update on the same-sex marriage issue in New Zealand, where a bill redefining marriage to include such unions is due for a second reading on March 20:

Family First NZ and the ‘Protect Marriage’ campaign is welcoming a Herald on Sunday poll today showing that support for redefining marriage has fallen from a previous high of 63% in a ONE News Colmar Brunton poll last May to just 53% now.

This echoes a similar slide in polling by Research NZ which showed support for ‘same-sex marriage’ dropping to less than 50%, down 11% from a similar poll in 2011...