Nearly 2 weeks after President Barack
Obama came out in support of gay marriage, opposition has hit a
record low, a new poll has found.
According to the
Washington Post/ABC News poll, support among Americans for
the institution has hit a record high of 53 percent. In 2006, only
36 percent thought it should be legal. Thirty-nine percent remain
opposed, a record low.
Pollsters also reported a nearly 20
percent increase in support among African Americans (from 41% to 59%)
but warned against any conclusions considering the poll's relatively
small sample of black voters.
Obama, who previously endorsed civil
unions for gay and lesbian couples, announced his shift to marriage
in an interview with ABC's Robin Roberts. He credited his gay
friends and daughters Sasha and Malia with influencing his decision.
(Related: Obama
explains his gay marriage stance on The View.)
“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,” the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Fred Sainz told
The
Washington Post.
For the first time, “strong”
support (39%) for gay marriage outstripped “strong” opposition
(32%).