Groups Petition To Delay Same-Sex Marriage In California; Poll Finds Majority Oppose Gay Weddings

May 23, 2008 4:48 p.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) - Despite California's liberal image and the state Supreme Court's recent ruling that legalized same-sex marriages, a new survey finds a majority of its residents are still against granting gay unions legal recognition.

A survey released by Los Angeles Times/KTLA found 42% of statewide voters "strongly disapprove" of the California Supreme Court's decision, along with another 10% who "somewhat disapprove." Only 29% of Californians "strongly approve" the idea and just 12% "somewhat approve."

The age gap between older and younger residents showed in the survey, which indicated those below 45 tend to have more tolerant views toward same sex marriages than older residents.

Los Angeles Times poll director Susan Pinkus told the California Daily that "although the amendment to reinstate the ban on same sex marriage is winning by a small majority, this may not bode well for the measure."

Meanwhile, two groups are pushing for a new ban by filing a petition with the California Supreme Court to delay its implementation of the decision until after the November national election. The petition was filed by the Proposition 22 Legal Defense Fund and the Alliance Defense Fund.

In the their filing, the two group explained that "permitting this decision to take effect immediately - in the light of the realistic possibility that the people of California might amend their constitution to reaffirm marriage as the union of one man and one woman - risks legal havoc and uncertainty of immeasurable magnitude."

A spokesman for San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera told the San Francisco Chronicle they would battle any attempts to block or delay the issuance of marriage certificates to gay couples. The city's lawyers would file next week a legal response to the petition of the two groups.

According to a number of county clerks, the same-sex marriages could start as early as June 16.