A large majority of Michigan voters
believe the government should recognize the unions of gay and lesbian
couples.
According to a
Public Policy Polling survey of 500 Michigan voters, 70 percent
said they believe gay couples should either be allowed to marry (39%)
or form civil unions (31%). Twenty-seven percent said there should
be no legal recognition of a gay couple's relationship.
A majority of Michigan Republicans
(51%) believe the unions of gay couples should be recognized with
either marriage or civil unions.
While more people said they are opposed
(45%) to legalizing gay marriage than in support (41%), opposition
was down 8 percentage points since an August poll. Fourteen percent
refused to answer.
Pollsters noted that support among
African-Americans increased in several state polls, notably in
Maryland
and Pennsylvania,
after President Barack Obama gave his personal endorsement, but in
Michigan support remained unchanged.
“But this is not the case in Michigan
– African-Americans in Michigan have not budged since they polled
68% in August for gay marriage and civil unions support. White
voters have improved 8 points to 70% in their support for gay
marriages or civil unions since August.”