Utahns backing gay rights

[Hazumu]

Trib poll » Common Ground bills get a boost, but most oppose civil unions and adoptions.

By Jeremiah Stettler

The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 01/16/2009 10:18:14 PM MST

The poll -- conducted by Washington, D.C.-based Mason-Dixon Polling & Research on Jan. 8 and 9 -- reflects the opinions of 500 registered Utah voters. It has a 4.5 percent margin of error.

Although disheartening for gay-rights advocates who would prefer a policy-path toward civil unions, the survey offers hope to backers of a legislative push known as the Common Ground Initiative. This five-bill package would make it illegal to discriminate against gay or transgender employees, provide wider rights for inheritance and health insurance and give same-sex partners the ability to sue in cases of wrongful death, among other things.

The poll shows Utahns have a "basic sense of compassion and fairness that says we should entertain the possibility of giving basic legal protections to these nontraditional families," says Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City, who is sponsoring the bill about probate benefits.