New ABC/Washington Post Poll: Majority of Americans Favor Gay Marriage

[FreeState]

http://abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/1089a6HotButtonIssues.pdf

Take gay marriage, legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut and now Iowa, with Vermont coming aboard in September. At its low, in 2004, just 32 percent of Americans favored gay marriage, with 62 percent opposed. Now 49 percent support it, vs. 46 percent opposed – the first time in ABC/Post polls that supporters have outnumbered opponents.

More than half, moreover – 53 percent – say a gay marriage held legally in another state should be recognized as legal in their own state.

The surprise is that the shift has occurred across ideological groups. While conservatives are least apt to favor gay marriage, they’ve gone from 10 percent support in 2004 to 19 percent in 2006 and 30 percent now – overall a 20-point, threefold increase, alongside a 13-point gain among liberals and 14 points among moderates. (Politically, support for gay marriage has risen sharply among Democrats and independents alike, while far more slightly among Republicans.)

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

1. I wonder how long until the usual haters show up

[Bill McBlueState]

2. I recommend bookmarking this post

It's a major blow to the argument that "Americans just aren't ready for it," not that that should matter anyway.

[Fresh_Start]

3. Maybe something good is coming out of the current crises

its hard to define 'gay marriage' or 'stem cell research' or most of the GOP core issues as a critical problem, while people are losing their homes and jobs and futures

There is nothing like having real problems to push the 'fake issues' to the background

[Runcible Spoon]

4. KICK.

It would take almost zero political capital for Obama to do a little stumping for this. :evilfrown:

[progressoid]

5. Wow, that's a sea-change!

And legalizing Mary Jane up to 46%!

[pardesidude7]

6. newsom

news is that gavin newsom will run for governor in cali which would definitely help out here

[Froward69]

7. I have to point this out...

"Majority of Americans Favor Gay Marriage" as opposed to heterosexual marriage??? :spray:

I realize that's not the comparison. I in fact favor "gay marriage rights."

As everyone should have the opportunity to
1) give up half of their stuff.
2) be just as miserable as the next guy/girl.
3) have the remote chance at life long happiness.
4) enjoy all the legal ramifications of marriage. (visitation, guardianship etc.)

just the headline should have been re-read and edited, that's all.

[Laughing Mirror]

8. Finally!

The people have spoken.

[Bluenorthwest]

9. 53% are more inclusive

than any leading Democratic Party member.

[Hepburn]

10. I wish to hell all those in favor had been Calif voters last November!

I just hope that this hatred towards others who are not totally straight just stops and people stop leaving others alone and free to love whomever they love!

[RomanHoliday]

11. All my friends support gay marriage...

I'm a straight girl and in the 18-21 group-- and it's pretty uniform. Even my straight male Mormon friend supports gay marriage.

[nomorenomore08]

12. I'm a 24-year-old male and find that to be the case as well.

Basically everyone in my social circle, as far as I know, is either supportive or neutral on the issue. And if anybody I know told me they were opposed, I'd probably ask what the hell was wrong with them. :P

[RomanHoliday]

13. Totally. Even this stereotype of straight guys being anti-gay isn't really true for the young..

I have male friends who seem like typical frat boy types but are really good friends with gay guys.