Majority want marriage

Majority want marriage

More than half of Australia’s gay and lesbian population wants to be married, according to a University of Queensland survey.
According to Not So Private Lives, the first national poll of gay and lesbian relationship preferences, 54.1 percent of those surveyed would prefer to be married. A further 80 percent thought the option should be open to gay and lesbian couples in Australia.
Rates of support for gay marriage were even higher among young people, with 65 percent of people under 20, and 62 percent of people under 30, stating they would prefer to have the option of marriage.
“The findings work to dispel the myth that most same-sex people do not wish to marry or are content with de facto status,” researcher Sharon Dane said.
“This majority preference for marriage may be a reflection of the fact that fewer same-sex couples feel the need to live their lives in secret.
“Although same-sex sexuality is still stigmatised at some level, a generally less hostile environment means same-sex couples can live their lives more openly and honestly and in doing so with to be treated like everyone else.”
The results of this survey have been submitted to the Federal Senate inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009, which is currently investigating a change to the Marriage Act to allow same-sex marriage.

To further read the survey’s findings visit www.notsoprivatelives.com.

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