59 percent of Americans oppose DOMA: poll

Fifty-nine percent of the American public say they oppose Section 3 of the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act after being told it prohibits the federal government from offering benefits to legally married same-sex couples. The poll, commissioned by the Center for American Progress and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, asked registered voters this question amid other inquiries regarding their beliefs on DOMA. The poll was conducted by Goodwin Simon Strategic Research and Voter Consumer Research. Additionally, the poll asked respondents in a more abstract way whether they believe it’s discriminatory for the federal government to deny benefits to married same-sex couples. Sixty-two percent of registered voters said they believe withholding such benefits is discrimination. Notably, the poll finds a greater proportion of the American public opposes DOMA than the bare majority that supports marriage equality. According to the poll, 52 percent of the American public supports same-sex marriage — which is consistent with earlier findings on the issue. That means seven percent oppose DOMA, but don’t support marriage equality.