DES MOINES, Iowa—Most Iowans are opposed to gay marriage but support civil unions to give gay couples benefits afforded to heterosexual couples, according to a new poll published in a copyright story in the Des Moines Sunday Register. The Iowa Poll shows that 62 percent of Iowans believe marriage should be only between a man and a woman. Just 32 percent support same-sex marriage, while 6 percent were unsure. More than half of those surveyed—about 55 percent—say Iowa should allow civil unions for same-sex couples. About 40 percent oppose civil unions and 4 percent were unsure.

The poll shows that Iowans are divided on whether the state constitution should be changed to ban gay marriage—48 percent support changing the constitution, while 47 percent are opposed.

The random telephone survey of 801 Iowa adults was taken Feb. 17-20. The poll has a sampling margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

Gay-rights advocates say the poll shows that Iowans are willing to extend civil unions to gay couples but hesitant to change the definition of traditional marriage.

“I think it reflects Iowans’ attitudes that all families should be afforded the same protections,” said Brad Clark, policy director for One Iowa, a Des Moines civil rights group.