Nearly half of Republican primary
voters in New Hampshire, which holds the first presidential primary,
say gay couples should be allowed to marry in every state.
According to a Purple Insights poll
conducted May 2-6, 49 percent of likely Republican primary voters
“favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into same-sex
marriages in every state in the U.S.,” while 39 percent remain
opposed. Twelve percent said that they were not sure.
“I think it's just a matter of time
until it's a part of our culture,” said
Nathan Rigoli, a 43-year-old Republican from Merrimack. “So,
it won't even be an issue probably in the next election. Either the
Supreme Court will decide it for us and it will be a moot point, or
eventually all the states will pass it.”
A case before the Supreme Court
challenging restrictive marriage bans in four states is expected to
be decided next month.
None of the six declared candidates for
the Republican presidential nomination support marriage equality.
Support was higher among likely
Democratic primary voters, 85 percent of whom said they want to see
gay couples marry in all 50 states. Only 8 percent said that they
oppose nationwide marriage equality.
Declared Democratic candidates Hillary
Clinton, the former secretary of state, and Vermont Senator Bernie
Sanders support equal marriage rights.