Gay rights groups in Chile on Wednesday
described a new poll showing majority support for gay marriage as a
“giant leap for equality.”
According to the poll of 501 nationwide
households conducted by Radio Cooperativa e Imaginaccion, 54.9
percent of Chileans support gay nuptials, while 40.7 percent remain
opposed.
The survey “reflects a broad and
mainstream acceptance” of such unions, said El Movimiento de
Integracion y Liberacion Homosexual (Movilh),
the nation's largest gay rights advocate.
“[T]he 54.9% approval of marriage
between persons of the same sex is a clear sign of openness, which
must be analyzed, understood and accepted by the government and to
move forward in advancing approval of such unions,” the group
added.
A gay marriage bill introduced more
than two years ago by Senator Fulvio Rossi has yet to be debated.
Other bills on the subject have also
been introduced since then, including one which would legalize civil
unions for gay and lesbian couples and another which seeks to ban gay
marriage.