SAN FRANCISCO -- The first major poll on California's same-sex marriage amendment indicates that -- as things stand right now -- Proposition 8 pushing for a change in the state constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman is likely headed for defeat.

Even as same-sex marriage ceremonies continue in San Francisco, the legal status of those unions remains in limbo.

Proposition eight would overturn the State Supreme Court ruling in may that legalized same sex marriage and change the California constitution, defining marriage as unions only between a man and a woman.

Some gay couples say that the passage of the proposition would be a legal blow, but that it would have little effect on their personal lives.

"It would be wonderful to be sanctioned by the government and the state, but the love that I feel for my partner will withstand anything," said San Francisco resident Bill Scott.

But a new KTVU field poll -- the first major poll on proposition eight -- suggests newly married same-sex couples have little to worry about. Right now it appears headed for a November defeat. 51 percent of those polled say no to the constitutional amendment, while only 42 percent support the proposition.

Historically in California, when ballot initiatives start out trailing, they almost always lose.

"I think the constitutional amendment aspect really raises the bar on this particular proposition. Voters are usually reluctant to make major changes to the California or U.S. Constitution," said Field Poll director Mark DiCamillo.

In the Bay Area and along the coast, most people oppose the amendment, but inland -- especially in the Central Valley -- most people favor the ban. Republicans are more than two to one in favor of the constitutional ban, while democrats are more than two to one against it.

Most whites, blacks and Asians are against Prop 8. But one ethnic group favors the same sex marriage ban: Latinos, by an eleven-point margin.

"Most Hispanic cultures, especially from Mexico, come from a very catholic background. So I can see where they come from," said Sacramento resident Manny Torres.

It may seem surprising to people in the Bay Area, but 25% of those polled said they didn't even know any gays or lesbians. And people in that group, by a narrow margin, favor the constitutional amendment that would once again ban same sex marriage.