http://www.sovo.com/2005/8-19/news/national/nationalnews_marriage.cfmWASHINGTON — The latest Pew Research Center poll on views about same-sex marriage shows 36 percent of Americans favor allowing same-sex couples to marry and 53 percent support legal recognition that would offer gay men and lesbians many of the same rights and responsibilities as married straight couples.
The numbers represent a 4 percent increase among those who support full marriage rights for gays and a 6 percent jump among those who back some form of legal recognition of same-sex relationships since the last poll was taken in December 2004.
In a sign that support for a federal marriage amendment may no longer be seen as politically advantageous, Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.), told the Associated Press last week that she is putting her work on the marriage amendment on hold as states and the courts battle over the issue.