Indianapolis - Polling data released today confirms that a majority of Hoosiers are opposed to an amendment that would constitutionally ban same-sex marriage.
Commissioned by Indiana Equality Action, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research surveyed 400 registered Indiana voters from across the state between March 10th and March 13th, 2011. A stunning 47% of respondents said they were opposed to the constitutional amendment banning same-gender marriage while 43% were in favor of such a measure.
Even more surprising was the diversity of Hoosiers that oppose the marriage amendment; this diversity includes an unexpected number of Republicans and conservatives ( 65% oppose ) and seniors ( 41% oppose ) . Many young voters ( 67% ) also opposed the amendment.
Current state law already prohibits same-gender marriage ( Indiana Code section 31-11-1-1: "only a female may marry a male. Only a male may marry a female" ) .
The poll also indicates that voters clearly have other priorities for action by the Governor and state legislature. In asking about one or two of the most pressing legislative concerns the respondents listed "the economy and jobs" ( 51% ) , "education" ( 35% ) , "the state budget and deficit" ( 20% ) , "health care" ( 20% ) , "crime and drugs" ( 10% ) , and finally "taxes" ( 9% ) before "gay marriage" ( 7% ) . "Gay marriage" was followed only by "transportation" ( 6% ) , "roads" ( 3% ) , and "all the issues" ( 3% ) .
The amendment has already passed the Indiana House of Representatives and is waiting for a vote in the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee. If passed the amendment would come back before the General Assembly in two years. If then passed, unaltered, it would go before the voters in 2014.
The poll also revealed changing views in Hoosiers' thinking about other issues affecting lesbian, gay, and transgender persons. When asked about laws supporting protecting lesbian, gay, and transgender people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations an overwhelming 66% supported such laws while only 28% were in opposition.
In regard to bullying and harassment in Indiana schools, when asked if they would support a change in the state school code to prohibit harassment and bullying against gay, lesbian, and transgender students, 73% of the respondents favored changing the state code to protect such children. Only 21% would allow the continued harassment and bullying of such students.
To download a copy of the report "Current Attitudes About LGBT Rights in Indiana" go tohttp://indianaequality.typepad.com/Current%20Attitudes%20About%20LGBT%20Rights%20in%20Indiana%20March%202011.pdf
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner is one of the world's premiere research and strategic consulting firms. Based in Washington DC, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research provides polling data for a wide range of organizations, academic institutions, foundations, and professional associations including General Motors, United Airlines, Verizon Wireless, and the National Basketball Association.
Indiana Equality Action ( IE Action ) , a 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) organization, is coalition of LGBT, Allied and Progressive organizations from around the Hoosier state focused on amending Indiana's Civil Rights law to protect against discrimination based on either sexual orientation or gender identity and keeping Indiana's Marriage Discrimination Amendment at bay. For more information regarding Indiana Equality Action please visit the organization's website at www.indianaequalityaction.org .
