Majority Of Californians Against Banning Gay Marriage

August 28, 2008 10:20 a.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) - California's Proposition 8 may likely lose in November when state voters cast their ballot to decide if gay marriages will be allowed or banned.

According to a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California released Wednesday, 54 percent of residents are against a prohibition on same-sex unions, while 40 percent are for the ban.

The preference for no ban is not surprising, said Proposition 8 communications director Jennifer Kerns, because of the tone of the November ballot measure.

Over the years, California residents have slowly started to change their attitude toward same-sex marriage. According to polls, in 2000 55 percent were against gay unions, and 38 in favor of it. By 2008, the ratio has shown an equal 47 percent pro and 47 percent anti same-sex weddings.

Other major findings of the Public Policy poll said 48 percent of Californians favored Barack Obama over John McCain, who got 39 percent, while 84 percent said the budget impasse is a serious concern.