For the time citizens of 30 European counties had the opportunity to speak out their views and responded to the same opinion poll concerning the autorisation of same-sex marriage and the adoption of children by same-sex couples.

On 21-27 January 2003, the EOS Gallup Europe conducted extensive study among a sample of 15,074 respondents representing each national population aged 15 years and over.

A majority of Europeans in favour of homosexual marriages but remain reluctant towards child adoption by homosexual couples.

In the current European Union, 57% of respondent claim to be in favour of autorising the marriage of homosexuals couples throughout Europe. On the other hand, citizens of the 13 candidate countries seem far more hesitant since only 23% of respondents agree with the general authorisation of homosexual marriages.

While a majority emerges among the 15 member States for the autorisation of marriage between two persons of the same sex, the public seems noticeably more reluctant when the issue of child adoption by homosexual couples os raised. While 42% of citizens from the current European Union are in favour of this, only 17% of respondents in the 13 candidate countries express the same opinion.

The level of support with regard to these two issues varies in accordance with current national legislation: countries having already adapted their laws, or in the stage of doing so, receive firm support according to their respective public opinions.

We can equally note that the social-demographic profile of the interviewee constitutes a discrimination factor: women, younger population and the highly educated have a more favourable opinion concerning marriage of homosexuals and adoption of children by these. Non-believers and left-win followers also tend to support these issues.

Source: press release by Gallup Europe.
EOS Gallup Europe is a coordination centre of international studies specialized in conducting opinion pools. Its network covers the entire European territory. www.eosgallupeurope.org