Wednesday, August 13, 2003

The latest Washington Post poll is based on telephone interviews with 1,003 randomly selected adults nationwide, and was conducted Aug. 7-11, 2003. The margin of sampling error for overall results is plus or minus 3 percentage points. Sampling error is only one of many potential sources of error in this or any other public opinion poll. Interviewing was conducted by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.

*= less than 0.5 percent

36. Would you favor or oppose a law that would allow homosexual couples to legally form civil unions, giving them some of the legal rights of married couples?

             Favor     Oppose     No opinion
8/11/03       37         58            5
7/27/03*      40         57            3
5/7/03        49         49            2
5/9/02        46         51            3
4/11/02       45         46            9
2/10/02       41         53            6
5/14/01       44         52            4
10/28/00^     42         54            4
* 7/27/03 and previous - Gallup.
^ "Suppose that on election day this year you could vote on key issues as well as
candidates. Please tell me whether you would vote for or against each one of the
following propositions. Would you vote -- [RANDOM ORDER]? (For or against a law that
would allow homosexual couples to legally form civil unions, giving them some of the
legal rights of married couples)"

38. As you may know, the Episcopal church has given its bishops the option of allowing clergy to bless the committed relationships of gay or lesbian couples. Do you approve or disapprove of this decision?

             Approve     Disapprove     No opinion
8/11/03        33           60               7

39. (ASK IF RESPONDENT HAS A RELIGION) Now thinking about your own religious faith or denomination, would you approve or disapprove of giving local churches the option of blessing committed relationships of gay or lesbian couples?

             Approve     Disapprove     Don't go to church     No opinion
8/11/03        31           63                  1                   5

40. (ASK IF RESPONDENT HAS A RELIGION AND ATTENDS CHURCH AT LEAST A FEW TIMES A YEAR) If the church you regularly attend decided to allow blessings of gay or lesbian couples, would you (continue to attend that church) or would you (look for another church to attend?)

             Continue to attend    Look for another    No opinion
8/11/03             48                    47                5