Same-sex Marriage in France - Public Opinion

Public Opinion

Opinion polls generally show that the French public supports the legalisation of same-sex marriage:

• A 1996 Ifop poll found that 48% of respondents supported same-sex marriage, with 33% opposed.

• A 2003 Gallup poll found that 58% of respondents supported same-sex marriage.

• A May 2004 Ipsos poll found that 57% of respondents supported same-sex marriage, with 38% opposed. Younger people were particularly favourable, with 75% of those under 35 in support. Nevertheless, only 40% were in favour of adoption rights, although 56% of those younger than 35 were in support.

• A 2004 Ifop poll found 64% of respondents in support of same-sex marriage, with 49% supporting adoption rights.

• A 2006 Eurobarometer survey found that 48% of respondents supported same-sex marriage being allowed "throughout Europe". This was 4% above the EU average. Support for adoption rights was at 35%, 3% above the EU average.

• A 2006 Ipsos poll found that 61% of respondents favoured the recognition of civil marriage for same-sex couples.

• A June 2006 TNS-Sofres poll found that 45% of respondents supported same-sex marriage, with 51% opposed. 36% supported adoption rights for same-sex couples.

• A June 2008 Ifop poll found 62% of respondents in favour of same-sex marriage, with 38% against. 51% supported adoption rights. Support was very high among younger people, with 77% of those aged between 25 and 34 in favour.

• A November 2009 BVA poll found 64% of respondents in favour of same-sex marriage, including for the first time a majority of right-wing voters. 57% supported adoption rights (support was 68% among those between 18 and 25 years).

• A July 2010 Crédoc poll found 61% of respondents in favour of same-sex marriage, while 48% supported adoption rights.

• A January 2011 TNS-Sofres poll found that 58% of respondents supported same-sex marriage, with 35% opposed. Support was 74% among those under 35 years. 49% supported adoption rights for same-sex couples.

• A June 2011 Ifop poll found that 63% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage, while 58% supported adoption rights for same-sex couples.

• An August 2012 Ifop poll found that 65% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage, while 53% supported adoption rights for same-sex couples.