A large majority of Peruvians oppose a
proposed law which would recognize the relationships of gay and
lesbian couples with civil unions.
According to a poll of 1,200 people
conducted by Datun, 70 percent of Peruvians oppose the measure, while
25 percent are in favor. Five percent of respondents refused to
answer. Opposition is lowest in Lima, the nation's largest city and
capital, where 35 percent support civil unions. The results were
reported by ACIPrensa.com,
a Catholic website.
Congressman Carlos Bruce introduced a
civil unions bill on September 12.
Peruvian Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani,
the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Peru, accused Bruce, a
divorced father of two sons, of backing the bill to “justify his
[sexual] orientation.”
Cipriani added that civil unions make a
“caricature of marriage.”
Bruce, a popular political figure in
Peru, reportedly responded to Cipriani's attacks by saying that he
would “not answer such vileness.” In subsequent interviews, he
said that he does not mind if people believe that he's gay.