Poll: Same-Sex Marriage Still Unlikely Soon In Virginia

Photo via University Of Mary Washington

By Brody Levesque | FREDERICKSBURG, VA -- As the nation's highest court deliberates two critical cases that will set legal precedence for same-sex couples in the U. S., across the river in Virginia a new poll shows little support for marriage equality.  A new poll from the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies shows that support has only slightly increased since the 2006 ballot question that not only amended the state's constitution to read;  "That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions." That amendment also banned any form of civil union for any unmarried partnered couple in the state.

The Mary Washington poll asked, "Do you favor or oppose allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally in Virginia?"

Accordingly the results broke down into those supporting same-sex couples the right to marry - 45%, those opposed - 46%, while 5% reported that they were unsure or didn't know and 4% refused to take the poll among the 1,004 registered voters surveyed.

After a heated debate and advertising campaign in 2006, the Virginia Marriage Amendment was approved on the November 7, 2006 ballot with 57.06% approving the measure and 42.94% opposing. Political analysts pointed out that marriage equality opponents had in fact spent less than those in favor of in a nearly 2 to 1 ratio. According to the Virginia State Board of Elections, donors to the campaign for the measure spent a total of $415,170 while donors to the campaign against the measure spent a total of $1,963,309.

The Mary Washington poll director Stephen Farnsworth noted:

As a group, African-Americans were most critical of same sex marriage, with 40 percent supporting same-sex marriage legalization and 54 percent opposing it. Hispanic respondents were most supportive, with 64 percent supporting gay marriage and 34 percent opposing. For whites, 50 percent oppose gay marriage and 46 percent support it.

Politico pundits in Richmond told LGBTQ Nation that while the state's northern counties, which comprise the suburbs of Washington D.C. tend to vote along more progressive lines, the rest of the state, particularly the south-eastern Hampton Roads area, which is home to the U. S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet along with major U.S. Air Force installations, tends to vote consistently conservative. That factor coupled with the current Republican controlled legislature and governor's office makes it likely that the state will continue to resist immediate changes.