One poll shows that a majority of Virginians supports a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage that will be on the ballot in November. However, when voters hear the amendment’s actual language, support slips and it becomes a dead heat. Here’s the actual language of the proposed amendment; the first poll uses only the first sentence.

Shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended to state “That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.”?

There are two ways to look at this: either people are less likely to support a ban if it also bans gay civil unions, or people are less likely to support a ban if it could affect the relationships of straight people.

Here’s a memo that includes the actual language of the proposed amendment.

[via Good as You]