A survey for a Washington state group
that opposes gay marriage has found increasing support for the union.
The Faith and Freedom Network's poll
found less than half (48%) of the 408 registered voters contacted by
Elway Research answered “no” when asked, “Do you support
legalizing homosexual marriage in Washington state?” Forty-four
percent answered “yes.”
According to the Seattle
Times, it is the first poll by the state's most visible
opponent of gay rights in which opposition to gay marriage has dipped
below 50 percent.
Gary Randall, president of the Faith
and Freedom, dismissed the slight decrease in opposition indicated in
the poll.
“There's a constant erosion of
traditional principles and values by education and the media,” he
told the paper. “Kids are being indoctrinated in school and
bullied into accepting homosexuality.”
Supporters of marriage equality called
the poll a major turning point.
“For the first time, polls in
Washington are showing a majority support for marriage equality, and
even the opposition can't muster a poll that shows they have a
majority,” said Josh Friedes, director of marriage equality for
Equal Rights Washington.
Nationwide polls show a narrow majority
(up to 53%) of Americans support marriage equality.
The results come as openly gay state
Senator Ed Murray and Representative Jamie Pedersen are discussing
whether to introduce a gay marriage bill in the upcoming legislative
session.