Slightly more than half of Minnesotans
support gay marriage.
According to a KSTP/Survey
USA Poll of 500 adults released Friday, 51 percent of Minnesotans
support gay marriage, while 47 percent remain opposed. Two percent
refused to answer.
Support is highest among those under
the age of 35, who say such unions should be legal by 69 percent.
Majority support is also found among
Democrats (66%) and independents (53%). However, 71 percent of
Republicans oppose gay nuptials. Only 27 percent of Republicans
support marriage equality.
Support also increases as education and
income levels rise.
Democrats introduced a bill to legalize
marriage for gay and lesbian couples in Minnesota following the
defeat of a statewide ballot initiative in November which sought to
define marriage as a heterosexual union in the Minnesota
Constitution. The proposed marriage legislation has cleared House
and Senate committees and awaits floor votes in both chambers.
On Thursday, Brian McClung, a former
aide to Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who served two terms in
office and opposes marriage equality, urged Republicans to alter
course on the issue. McClung
said there was a possibility of the GOP becoming irrelevant for
decades.