Opposition to gay marriage is sinking in the wake of President Barack Obama’s endorsement of same-sex unions, with a new
Washington Post-ABC News poll showing a record low of 39 percent believe gay marriage should be illegal.
The poll found that 53 percent, also a new record high for the Post poll, believe gay marriage should be legal. Just six years ago only 36 percent thought same-sex unions should be legal.
The poll also found that 59 percent of African-Americans now support gay marriage, up from an average of 41 percent in previous polls.
Obama endorsed same-sex marriage two weeks ago.
“By speaking in very personal terms about his own journey, the president has helped to build a larger and stronger majority in support of full equality for committed gay and lesbian couples,” Fred Sainz, a spokesman for the Human Right Campaign, told the Post.
Of those surveyed, 71 percent said they had a friend, family member, or acquaintance who is gay.
In 2010 that number was 63 percent and in 1998 it was 59 percent. The poll, that surveyed 1,004 adults from May 17 to 20, however, also found that most Americans say Obama’s position on gay marriage will not play a big role in the November elections.
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