New Poll Shows Record Support for Marriage Equality in New York

By Steve Williams -

A poll released on Monday by the nonpartisan Siena Research Institute at the Siena College in Loudonville, New York, found that a record 58 percent of New Yorkers now favor same-sex marriage while a record low of 36 percent say they are against. Six percent remain undecided.

From On Top Magazine:

"Same sex marriage now has more support than it's ever had, with voters 55 and older and Republicans being nearly evenly divided, and voters younger than 55 and Democrats and independents being strongly supportive," Siena's Steven Greenberg said in announcing the survey's results.

[...]

The poll also found Governor Andrew Cuomo's favorability rating at 73 percent, up from 69 percent last month.

Cuomo has said he'll back an effort to legalize gay marriage in the Empire state later this Spring.

Advocates have welcomed the poll results, saying this sets the tone for the New York Legislature to act and finally make marriage equality law.

From The Human Rights Campaign:

"The more New Yorkers learn about marriage equality, the more they support this basic issue of fairness," said Brian Ellner, the Human Rights Campaign’s Senior Strategist for the Campaign for New York Marriage.  "We will continue our campaign to educate across the state so that everyone has the right to make a commitment and build a family with the person they love."

The previous Siena Research Institute Poll of January 2011 found 57 percent of New Yorkers support marriage for same-sex couples with 38 percent opposed.

"Momentum is clearly on our side with popular support and a Governor committed to this issue," said Ellner.  "It's time for leaders in Albany to take up this critical issue and respect the loving and committed relationships of same-sex couples in our state."

An effort to pass a similar marriage equality bill died in 2009 when the state senate voted against the bill, much to the consternation of LGBT rights advocates.
Religious conservatives are already rallying against this year's marriage equality efforts, with one archbishop starting early with the scare tactics when he compared legalizing same-sex marriage to legalizing incest. Condemning such inflated rhetoric, other religious institutions in New York continue their longstanding support for civil marriage equality.
It is hoped, however, that with strong support from the public and a governor that has pledged to sign a marriage equality bill into law should it reach his desk, marriage equality legislation may yet triumph.

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