Poll shows support for gay marriage

Posted: Thursday, April 30, 2009 6:50 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC's Harry Enten

For the first time in a nationwide survey, more Americans say they
support gay marriage (49%) than oppose it (46%), according to the
latest Washington Post/ABC poll.

That 49% supporting gay marriage, in fact, is a significant jump from
2004, when the Post/ABC poll found just 32% in favor.

This surge within the past month suggests that any backlash against
the recent moves across the country to legalize gay marriage has yet
to emerge.

Also in the new survey, a majority of Americans (53%) believe that
their state should recognize gay marriages from other states.

Other recent polls have shown a similar increase in support for gay
unions nationwide. The New York Times/CBS News poll released this week
showed 42% of Americans supporting gay marriage -- the highest number
ever recorded in that poll. This week's Quinnipiac poll, which found a
majority (55%) against gay marriage, also showed 57% of Americans
support civil unions.