A majority of New York voters support
gay marriage, a
new poll released Monday found.
The poll by the Siena Research
Institute at the Siena College in Loudonville, New York found 58
percent of respondents in favor of legalizing marriage between two
members of the same sex. Thirty-six percent are opposes and 6
percent don't know.
“Same sex marriage now has more
support than it's ever had, with voters 55 and older and Republicans
being nearly evenly divided, and voters younger than 55 and Democrats
and independents being strongly supportive,” Siena's Steven
Greenberg said in announcing the survey's results.
“This latest poll reporting that a
super-majority of New Yorkers support the freedom to marry shows New
Yorkers get it,” said Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry,
a nationwide group that lobbies for the institution.
The poll also found Governor Andrew
Cuomo's favorability rating at 73 percent, up from 69 percent last
month.
Cuomo has said he'll back an effort to
legalize gay marriage in the Empire state later this Spring.
An effort to approve such a law died in
the Senate in 2009. Supporters hope Cuomo's wide appeal will help
secure a win.
Wolfson said his group is already
discussing strategy with New York leaders, including Cuomo.
“Freedom to Marry is working closely
with Governor Cuomo, legislative leaders, and our partner
organizations to end marriage discrimination here this Spring, and
whether through phone calls, legislative visits, or conversations
that prompt more people to take action, now is the time for everyone
to pitch in and win New York,” he said.