What Does the Top-Secret California Marriage Polling Reveal?

[FreeState]

http://www.queerty.com/what-does-the-top-secret-california-marriage-polling-reveal-20090603/

At 11:30am PST today, an umbrella group of gay organizations like the Courage Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Marriage Equality U.S.A., and Equality California will deliver the results from its polling of where California's voters stand on same-sex marriage. Yes, this is the same data Fresno organizers wanted to keep secret. To those involved, the data is of utmost importance, because it could determine whether to push for a ballot measure overturning Prop 8 in 2010, or whether the analysis shows we should wait until 2012, or even head in another course of action. The results of the poll will be delivered over a conference call (only media are invited to join). But Queerty received a preview of what to expect.

"Opinion on marriage for same-sex couples in California is almost evenly divided, with opponents holding a 1% to 2% edge," says the data from the Poll4Equality Coalition, which conducted the survey. Depending on how you look at it, that's either good or bad news. Bad, because it shows we still have more convincing to do. And good, because it shows there's only a small margin to overcome.

But knowing the state is nearly evenly divided on gay marriage, the important information the poll delivers is: If we're going to put the issue on the ballot, how do we phrase the wording?

When asked, “Do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose allowing same-sex couples to be legally married?," the survey found 47 percent saying "favor" and 48 percent saying "oppose." The data shows "support increases if the language specifically includes a provision that says no clergy will be required to perform a service that goes against their faith," according to the the document provided to Queerty.

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More at link.... 15 more minutes and the results will be released - should be interesting...

[RufusH]

1. Great, let's add that idiotic phrase about "no clergy will be required to perform a service..."

While we're at it, let's also add "no clergy will be required to do anything they already are not required to do."

If that changes people's opinions about whether or not they "agree" with equal marriage, then fine. I can't believe that people can be that clueless.

[SacredCow]

2. I really don't get the uproar about clergy being "required" to perform gay marriages...

As it stands now, they're not "required" to perform any straight marriages if they object for some reason. Go ahead, non-Catholic persons: walk into a Cathedral and tell the nearest priest that you're not a Catholic, but you want to be married by them and/or in their church and see what they say.

It's a bullshit argument. Just like the "just don't call it 'marriage' argument."

[FreeState]

3. It does cut the hater argument down though because conservative churches use that argument

to try and scare their parishioners into voting against equality. So unfortunately as stupid as it is - it may help.

[ShadowLiberal]

13. Indeed, yet most people probably don't know that, hence why the language helps gay marriage

[xchrom]

4. don't want to leave my rights up to the masses.

i don't want to make laws, constitutions or design a building that way.

[bluedawg12]

8. Civil rights should not be left up to public opinion polls. n/t

[Veruca Salt]

9. +1

I've been saying that right along, thank you for beating me to the punch! :)

And might I also add, civil rights should not be left up to a majority to decide.

[MNBrewer]

10. Majority = mob rule in that case.

[keepCAblue]

5. "shows we still have more convincing to do"

I REFUSE to grovel at the feet of the bigots in this state--or in this country for that matter--to try to "convince" people I *deserve* the right to marry the woman I love. Refuse. I will not shuffle, bow, fetch, roll over or beg for my rights as a US citizen. No other minority had to do so and damnit, neither will I. This is a matter of federal mandate--it is not a matter to be decided by flip-flopping state lawmakers, idiot state judges or the moronic masses who 90% of the time don't even bother to read up on or research the ballot issue they're voting on. Give us our dignity. For god sake.

[ronnykmarshall]

11. and the dumb asses that ran No on 8 will probably hire....

Perez fucking Hilton for "outreach".

[GodlessBiker]

6. So...what does it reveal?

[FreeState]

7. I cant find any reports of the conference call that took place online yet n/t

[Irishonly]

12. The conservatives lied about the clergy

Most religious right churches were lying and told their members clergy would be jailed for refusing to marry gays. It was a lie then and it's a lie now. It's the fear factor again. Clergy can refuse to officiate or not allow their church to be used for any reason.

[RetiredTrotskyite]

14. The Clergy Thing is a Red Herring

They will simply come up with more objections to marriage equality. No matter how many concessions are made, they will keep finding things to harp about.

[TheWraith]

15. Slight waste of money--I can tell you 2010 is the smarter choice.

The sooner the better to capitalize on the backlash over Prop 8. As to the rest of it, pretty much what I'd expected. A lot of the opposition is based on people not knowing what the hell is being talked about.