A new Associated Press-GfK survey bucks the recent trend of pro-LGBT poll numbers, finding more respondents who disapprove of the Supreme Court's ruling legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide than approve it.
The poll also found that a majority of respondents believe it's more important for the government to protect religious liberties than the rights of gays and lesbians.
The AP reports:
Altogether, 39 percent approved of the high court's decision and 41 percent disapproved. An additional 18 percent neither approved nor disapproved.
Poll respondents were divided over allowing same-sex marriage in their own state, with 42 percent in favor and 40 percent opposed.
The poll found no surge in support for same-sex marriage since the court's ruling June 26. If anything, support was down slightly since April, when 48 percent said they were in favor in another AP-GfK survey. An earlier poll, conducted in January and February, found 44 percent in support of same-sex marriage.
Other notable findings from the poll
- When religious liberties and the rights of gays clash, 56% of respondents said it's more important for the government to protect religious liberties. 39% said it's more important to protect the rights of gays.
- 59% think wedding-related businesses should be allowed to deny services to same-sex couples
- 46% said businesses in general should be allowed to discriminate against gays on religious grounds.
- Protestants opposed same-sex marriage 52%-32%. Catholics supported same-sex marriage 48%-32%.
