Jan 11, 2007Articles: Portuguese slow to accept gay equality
By vanrozenheim
Portugal is among the most conservative and intolerant countries in the European Union when it comes to issues such as gay marriages and adoption by gay couples. According to the latest research by Eurobarometer in 25 European Union countries, the vast majority of Portuguese are against adoption by gay couples.
When asked if they thought that gay couples should be allowed to adopt children only 19% thought they should – well below the European average of 32%.
In Holland (69%), Sweden (51%) and Denmark (44%) the figures were much higher.
In Spain, 43%t of those asked thought that gay couples should be able to marry and adopt children. Portugal was among the countries in Europe, such as Poland (7%), Malta (7%), and Lithuania (8%), who thought that more equality for gays was a bad idea.
Marriage between people of the same sex is also rejected overall by the Portuguese. Although on average 44% of Europeans are in agreement with gay marriages, in Portugal those figures drop down to 29% unlike Holland (82%), Sweden (71%) and Denmark (69%).
