Source: Religion and Ethics Newsweekly

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week651/cover.html

On August 22, 2003 Religion and Ethics Newsweekly reported, "In recent years, the United States has grown more accepting of homosexuality, in public policy as well as in pop culture. But when it comes to the question of marriage, the nation remains sharply divided. A recent WASHINGTON POST poll found that fewer than four in 10 Americans support same-sex civil unions that would provide some of the rights and legal protections of marriage. Legislatures in 37 states have adopted so-called Defense of Marriage Acts, which define marriage as a contract between a man and a woman."