Gay rights groups welcome evidence of growing public tolerance

MORE than half the public supports some form of gay marriage, according to a new poll which shows 51% of adults are in favour of giving legal status to gay partnerships.

The Irish Examiner/Red C survey on attitudes to homosexuality also reveals that exactly half of Irish adults would be happy to allow gay people to adopt children on the same terms as heterosexuals.

The findings are published as a Government-appointed working group, due to report in June, examines the legal, financial and familial implications of introducing civil partnership legislation.