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If there is one region of the country that's still struggling to come to terms with the idea of same-sex marriage, it's the South.

According to the results of a recent opinion poll conducted by CNN and research firm ORC International, the South is the only region of the country where the majority say same-sex couples should not be allowed to marry.

The Northeast and Western regions of the country overwhelmingly support marriage equality. In the Midwest, a slim majority of those polled favor granting marriage rights to same-sex couples, but in the South, some 52 percent of respondents oppose gay marriage while only 44 percent support it, by far the lowest level of support in the country.

Poll: Despite national progress, Southerners lag behind on gay marriage

The Georgia Voice Editors
National

The national totals were 52 percent support same-sex marriage equality and 42 percent in opposition.

Some 44 percent of Southerners said they “felt strongly” about their opposition to same-sex marriage rights. Eight percent opposed such marriages, but were “not strongly” opposed.

The poll also asked respondents if they had a friend or family member that was gay or lesbian. About 60 percent of Southerners answered yes, falling right in line with the national average.

Perhaps the most shocking number came from the question “do you think someone who is homosexual can change their sexual orientation if they choose to do so, or don’t you think so?” Among Southerners, 46 percent believed that someone could change their sexual orientation if they so chose.

The poll had a margin of error of three percent. To read the full report, click here.