The outer suburbs of major cities, particularly in supposedly gay-friendly Sydney, are where Australians are most hostile to the idea of gay marriage.

Analysis by news.com.au shows suburban fringes of cities – home to swing voters and the key political battlegrounds in elections – are hotbeds of opposition to marriage equality.

Out of a nationwide survey, 10 of the 15 federal seats with the highest opposition to gay marriage form a wall of resistance around Sydney, with more than 45 per cent saying they do not support same-sex marriages.

The findings are based on a news.com.au survey of more than 148,000 people, which took the pulse of voters in every electorate in the nation.

The results contradict the perception in Sydney that resistance on the issue is led by regional “redneck” voters.  The opposition is much closer to home.

For the full article click here