POLL: Oregon Supports Marriage Equality

A recent poll by PPP shows that Oregon voters support marriage equality by a very slim margin, 46 percent in favor with 45 percent in opposition. Since the margin of error of this poll, which was taken June 21-24, 2012 of 686 Oregon voters, is ±3.7 points, this is essentially a tie or dead heat.

The more interesting result, pictured above, are the numbers on the "triple option" question. This is when voters are asked whether they support full marriage equality, civil unions (all the rights and responsibility of civil marriage but the name) or no state recognition of same-sex couples.

The results are:

Which of the following best describes youropinion on gay marriage: gay couples shouldbe allowed to legally marry, or gay couplesshould be allowed to form civil unions but notlegally marry, or there should be no legalrecognition of a gay couple's relationship? 

Gay couples should be allowed to legallymarry ..............................................................44% 

Gay couples should be allowed to form civilunions but not marry .......................................30% 

There should be no legal recognition of a gaycouple's relationship .......................................23% 

Not sure .......................................................... 3%

This shows that an amazing 74% of Oregon voters support some form of legal recognition for same-sex couples. This is an astonishing result, and demonstrates just how badly heterosexual supremacists are losing the cultural battles.


All is not perfect for the forces of equality, however. Despite multiple polls demonstrating majority support for marriage equality nationwide, it is somewhat disturbing that in such a "blue" state like Oregon that there is not a solid majority support for marriage equality. It does validate the decision by Basic Rights Oregon not to move forward with a 2012 ballot measure to enact marriage equality.