Millward Brown (Lansdowne) Polling Highlights 2012

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NOTE

2008 sample included respondents aged 15+.  
2012 sample included respondents aged 16+/18+ (for voting questions)

EQUAL RIGHTS REGARDLESS OF SEXUALITY

84% - more than 8 out of 10 - people agree that everyone in Ireland should receive equal treatment from the state, regardless of whether they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or heterosexual.

•    90% agreement among 25-34 year olds
•    88% agreement among parents

In 2008 this figure was 81%.

DENYING CIVIL MARRIAGE TO SAME SEX COUPLES IS DISCRIMINATORY AND UNFAIR

72% - nearly 3 out of 4 – people believe that denying civil marriage to same sex couples is a form of discrimination.

•    84% of 25-34 year olds agree
•    single people (79%) and parents (78%) are more likely to agree

In 2008 this figure was 63% - an increase of over 10%.

THE GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL MARRIAGE

71% of people believe that the Irish Government should amend the law to provide access to civil marriages for same-sex couples.  (“The Government should amend the law to provide access to civil marriages for same-sex couples”)

In 2008 this figure was just over half the population – an increase of nearly 20%.  (“Gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to marry in a registry office”)

2 out of 3 people agree Ireland’s reputation as a modern society will be strengthened by allowing same sex couples to have civil marriages.

3 out of 5 people agree that allowing same sex couples to have civil marriages will promote a more tolerant environment in Ireland.

A REFERENDUM

75% of people (aged 18+) said they would vote yes in a referendum to extend civil marriage to same sex couples

In 2008 this figure was 63% - an increase of 12%.

Support is highest among women, 18 to 34 year olds, parents and unmarried cohabiting couples.

Breakdown by Age20122008
18-2488%81%
25-3484%75%
35-4982%70%
50-6474%52%
Over 6543%27%

 

Regional Breakdown20122008
Dublin83%71%
Rest of Leinster76%61%
Munster73%63%
Connacht / Ulster65%56%

 

The biggest increases in support came from farmers (60% - up from 32% in 2008) and those aged 50-64 (74% - up from 52% in 2008).

LESBIAN AND GAY PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN

When asked about same-sex couples and their children…

•    69% of people agree that being raised in a loving home by loving parents is a more significant factor for a child’s well-being than being raised by a mother and a father
•    60% agree that the definition of a family in the Irish Constitution should change to include same-sex families
•    54% agree that same-sex couples should be legally allowed to jointly adopt a child