LA Latinos Are Gay Marriage Wild Card: Poll

A new Los Angeles Times poll shows why gay marriage advocates and opponents are targeting LA Latinos after Proposition 8: Unlike African Americans, they are divided on the issue. While African American voters oppose gay marriage by 54% to 37%, Latinos are split, 45% in favor and 46% against. Among Latinos, women, the young, and the college-educated tend to approve of same-sex nuptials.

White Los Angelenos still support gay marriage by a large margin, 68% to 27%. That percentage declines among older voters, prompting analysts to say that Proposition 8 is doomed in the long run: As the 18-29 age group grows older, their 66% approval of gay marriage will win the day. The Times poll questioned 1,500 LA voters about a week ago.