By Terry Vanderheyden
DUBLIN, February 23, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A major Irish newspaper has commissioned a poll to determine public perspective on homosexuality with the poll results suggesting that 51% favour same-sex “marriage.”
Conducted by Red C pollsters for the Irish Examiner, the group randomly telephoned 1,000 people between February 13 – 15. The poll results also concluded that only 16% felt that homosexuality is wrong, with twice as many women as men indicating this.
The newspaper left no doubt as to its view – the Examiner was quick to recommend that the Republic hold a referendum on the issue, to allow the voting public to legalize same-sex “marriage” as the UK already did last year.
“Yet the very fact that the balance has been tipped, albeit to a slight degree, in favour of the marriage of gay and lesbian couples suggests that a referendum may have to be held sooner than the political parties realise,” the paper states. The recommendation is likely unnecessary, as the Irish parliament has already proposed civil union “marriages” for homosexuals in a report released by Prime Minister Bertie Ahern’s office last month.
The survey also found that attitudes towards the adoption of children by same-sex couples have also altered dramatically. The poll found “exactly half” were supportive of homosexual adoption. That too is already a reality, as Ireland’s Attorney General cleared the way for homosexual couples living in Ireland to adopt children last fall. Rory Brady released a new interpretation of the Adoption Act in September which made it clear that those who identify themselves as homosexual can be considered as adoptive parents.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Ireland’s Attorney General Allows Homosexuals to Adopt Foster Children
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/sep/05090209.html