BBC Radio 5 Live Gay Marriage Poll

ComRes interviewed 1,007 GB adults by telephone between 14th and 17th March 2014. Data were weighted to be representative of all GB adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Date Published: 27 Mar 2014

Categories: Public and communities | Social | UK

Description

One in five Britons say they wouldn't go to a gay wedding if they were invited to one

On the eve of landmark legislation allowing same sex couples to get married, an exclusive BBC Radio 5 live survey suggests that one in five Britons (22%) would spurn an invitation to a gay wedding.  In research carried out by ComRes for the Stephen Nolan Show on BBC Radio 5 live, 22% of British adults say they wouldn\'t attend a same sex ceremony.  The figures also suggest that men (29%) are nearly twice as likely to turn down an invitation to a gay wedding as women (16%).

Overall, the Government legislation has been largely welcomed, with 68% indicating that they agree with the change to the law permitting gay marriages, compared with 26% who oppose it.  The research also suggests that, the younger people are, the more likely they are to support same sex marriage with 80% of 18-34 year olds backing it compared with 44% of over 65s.  And, of those who took part in the poll, women (75%) are significantly more likely to favour same sex weddings than men (61%).

But a substantial proportion of the population still have reservations about same sex marriage with 42% disagreeing that they are no different from heterosexual marriages.

And a majority (59%) agrees that you are not homophobic if you oppose the legislation allowing same-sex marriages.

Methodology note: ComRes interviewed 1,007 GB adults by telephone between 14th and 17th March 2014. Data were weighted to be representative of all GB adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.