A large majority of Michiganians
support gay marriage, a new poll has found.
According to a Glengariff Group, Inc.
poll of 600 registered voters released Tuesday, 56.8 percent of
respondents say they support such unions, while 36.7 percent remain
opposed.
The survey is the second to find
majority support in Michigan.
Last November's Michigan State
University's (MSU) State of the State Survey, found Michigan
residents in support by a 56-39 margin.
Opinions have shifted dramatically in
the state. In 2004, the year Michigan voters approved a
constitutional amendment defining marriage as a heterosexual union, a
Glengariff survey found support at 24 percent.
“I don't think I've ever seen a
policy question move as quickly as this one,” Richard Czuba,
president of Glengariff, told the Detroit
News.
Support has increased 4.4 percent since
last year among Democrats, from 71 to 75.4 percent, and 14.6 among
independents, from 36 to 50.6 percent. Republicans saw the largest
increase, from 20 to 36.5 percent.
“Back in 2004, this was very much a
wedge issue for Republicans,” Czuba said. “The shoe is on the
other foot. This is still a values issue, but it's one of equality
rather than 'stop this.'”