Poll: Most Utahns oppose US legalization of same-sex marriage


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SALT LAKE CITY — A majority of Utahns oppose the U.S. Supreme Court decision last month legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, a new poll shows.

And they also believe there should be legal protections for businesses that decline to provide services for gay weddings based on religious reasons, according to the Dan Jones & Associates survey for UtahPolicy.com.

The poll shows 58 percent of residents oppose the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling that made same-sex marriage a constitutionally protected right, while 37 percent support it.

Among the 610 people surveyed, younger Utahns tended to favor the same-sex marriage decision more than older residents, though only those in the 25- to 34-year-old age group exceeded 50 percent support.

Not surprisingly, there's a wide gulf between Republicans and Democrats on the issue. The survey found 84 percent of Republicans oppose the high court decision and 90 percent of Democrats favor it.

Independents were more evenly split with 45 percent for the ruling and 49 percent against.

Reaction to UtahPolicy.com poll

Kent Frogley, Utah Pride Center board chairman, said the polling data aren't surprising for a conservative Republican state where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made its views on traditional marriage clear.

At the same time, he said, it speaks to the wisdom of the Founding Fathers to create a balance of power.

"The judiciary is able to address constitutional issues without the imposition of the prevailing mindset of the majority," he said, adding he applauds the position of the Supreme Court.

"It gives access to a segment of people who are very vested in creating a stable family relationship for their children. It gives them access to the legal protections that have been afforded others, and I think that makes for stronger families and a stronger society," he said.

Mary Summerhays, founder of Celebration of Marriage, said the Supreme Court turned a blind eye to a child's need for both a mother and a father, and children couldn't care less about the outcome of a poll.


We believe these rights to be inalienable. They transcend polls and referendums.

–Troy Williams, Equality Utah


"For a child who has to lose a relationship because of the Supreme Court's decision, these polls are absolutely irrelevant," she said. "They're going to lose relationships. That's the only relationship that's going to change."

Summerhays said gays and lesbians always have had and will continue to have relationships, but for children "they're the only people affected by this, and it's a great loss for them."

Equality Utah executive director Troy Williams said the court found marriage is a fundamental right.

"We believe these rights to be inalienable. They transcend polls and referendums," he said.

Nationwide survey

An Associated Press-Gfk poll last week suggests support for gay marriage nationally may be down slightly from earlier this year and the Supreme Court decision has left Americans sharply divided.

According to the AP poll, 42 percent support same-sex marriage and 40 percent oppose it. The percentage saying they favor legal same-sex marriage in their state was down slightly from the 48 percent who said so in an April poll.

Asked specifically about the Supreme Court ruling, 39 percent said they approve and 41 percent said they disapprove, according to the AP.

Related:

The UtahPolicy.com poll also shows that 74 percent of Utahns say businesses should have special protection under the law to refuse services to same-sex weddings. Only 19 percent believe businesses should be liable to civil actions if they refuse services.

The Supreme Court opinion didn't tackle that question, but some observers say it poses a threat to religious freedom.

Utah lawmakers passed legislation this year to prohibit employers from disciplining or firing a person for expressing religious, moral and political beliefs, including convictions about marriage, family and sexuality, on and off the job. It also bans discrimination against LGBT Utahns in housing and employment.

The law, however, does not address "public accommodations," such as whether a florist or photographer must provide services for gay weddings even if it violates their religious beliefs.

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Dennis Romboy

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