Opinion on Gay Marriage (October 2012)

Respondents were asked, "What is your opinion on gay marriage or civil unions?" and given the response options: "Gays and lesbians should have the right to marry"; "Gays and lesbians should have the right to civil unions but not marriage"; "Gays and lesbians should not have the right to civil unions or marriage"; and "Don't know." Ideology is measured on a scale of 1-7, with 1 corresponding to "extremely liberal", 7 corresponding to "extremely conservative, and 4 corresponding to "in the middle." For the purposes of this table, respondents who placed themselves at or between points 1 and 3 on the scale are considered "liberal," respondents who placed themselves at point 4 on the scale are considered "moderate," and respondents who placed themselves at or between points 5 and 7 on the scale are considered conservative.