Surprising the conventional wisdom of some, a new poll published earlier this week shows the majority of Texans support some form of legal recognition for same-sex couples. The 2009 annual Texas Lyceum poll covers a variety of social and economic issues, including relationship equality for gays and lesbians. According to the poll, 57% of Texans support either full marriage rights or civil unions (32% favor civil unions, 25% favor marriage). Thirty-six percent said they were opposed to any recognition of same-sex couples. Paul E. Scott, executive director of Equality Texas said in a statement, “This change in attitude is a positive outcome, but it is critical that we continue to support leaders in the private and public sector, and we continue to educate them about our relationships and the equality they deserve.” The results indicate a shift from 2005 when 76% of Texans voted to pass an anti-marriage amendment to the state’s constitution.