NBC/WSJ Poll: Majority of Americans Support Gay Marriage

As the country waits for a Supreme Court decision in June on two cases concerning gay marriage, a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows that 53 percent of Americans now support same-sex marriage.

The survey of 1,000 adults released Thursday marked a 2-point increase over a December poll showing 51 percent of Americans now support legalizing same-sex marriage.

But the survey also recorded a 2-point increase in opposition; 42 percent of respondents are still against it.

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The poll also found that 63 percent of respondents believe the federal government should recognize same-sex marriage in states where it is legal, and 56 percent believe that the question of same-sex marriage should be defined by the federal government.

Still, only 47 percent believe the federal definition of marriage should include same-sex marriage, with 48 percent saying they still believe it should be between one man and one woman.

An large number of respondents, 79 percent, also said they know or work with someone who is gay or lesbian, a 14-point increase over December polling figures. Fifteen percent of respondents said the work relationships make them more likely to support gay marriage, while 4 percent said it made them less likely to support it.

Support differed, depending on party affiliation, with 73 percent of Democrats saying they support the legalization of same-sex marriage and 54 percent of independents voicing support as well.

But opposition to gay marriage was still strong among Republicans, with 66 percent saying they are still against it.