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Sampling, data collection and tabulation for this poll were done by TNS Intersearch.

Opponents, once firmly in the majority, now hold a minority view. Their ranks are down 23 points since a 1994 poll and 15 points since 1998.

Permit Gay Adoption?
Date of Poll	Yes	No
3/31/02	47 percent	42
10/15/98*	35	57
6/16/94*	28	65
*Time/CNN polls

There has been renewed debate on this issue since talk show host Rosie O'Donnell spoke out last month against a 1977 Florida law that prohibits adoption by homosexuals.

Big Splits on the Issue

There are large cleavages in the American public on this issue. Most younger adults, women, and those with more education support adoption by homosexuals. Older adults, men, and the less-educated don't.

There are also regional differences. Majorities in the East and Midwest are supportive; most in the South are not.

Partisanship plays a large role in these views. Most Democrats and Independents support adoption by gays, while Republicans oppose it by a 2-1 margin.

Support for Gay Adoption — the Breakdown
Sex	Yes	No
Men	38 percent	51
Women	55	33
Age
18-34	55	3
65+	35	52
Education
Less Than H.S.	37	52
Some College, and up	51	37
Region
East	55	34
Midwest	52	38
South	39	52
West	48	36
Party Affiliation
Democrat	56	30
Republican	29	60
Independent	54	37

Methodology

This ABCNEWS.com survey was conducted by telephone March 27-31, 2002, among a random national sample of 1,031 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.

Previous ABCNEWS polls can be found in our PollVault