NJ voters oppose calling same-sex unions "marriage"

[Omaha Steve]

http://reuters.excite.com/article/20061106/2006-11-06T172821Z_01_N06270156_RTRIDST_0_POLITICS-RIGHTS-GAYS-DC.html

NJ voters oppose calling same-sex unions "marriage"
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Nov 6, 12:28 PM (ET)


By Jon Hurdle

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Only a quarter of voters in the U.S. state of New Jersey are in favor of allowing same-sex relationships to be called marriage although half favor equal rights for such unions, a poll showed on Monday.

The poll, published in the Star-Ledger newspaper, follows a New Jersey Supreme Court ruling last month that same-sex couples are entitled to the same rights as heterosexual couples, but that state lawmakers should decide within six months whether those relationships could be called marriage.

Many lawmakers interviewed after the court decision said they do not expect the legislature to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey when the Assembly and Senate return from recess later this month.


Supporters of gay marriage hold placards before hearing the New Jersey Supreme court decision on same-sex marriage in front of the Supreme court building in Trenton, New Jersey, October 25, 2006. Only a quarter of voters in the U.S. state of New Jersey are in favor of allowing same-sex relationships to be called marriage although half favor equal rights for such unions, a poll showed on Monday. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer


Half of the 777 people telephone polled by Blum & Weprin Associates for the Star-Ledger on November 1-2 agreed with the court's decision to give same-sex couples equal rights, while 39 percent disagreed and 11 percent said they were not sure.

FULL story at link above.