Source:
MSNBCMore than half of Americans say same-sex marriage should be legal, garnering the same rights as traditional marriages, according to a newly released Gallup poll showing for the first time since Gallup began tracking the issue in 1996 support by a majority of Americans.
The increase since last year — when 44 percent versus this year's 53 percent supported legalizing same-sex marriages — came exclusively among political independents and Democrats. Views of Republicans didn't change from last year, with 28 percent supporting gay marriage both years.
The results are based on Gallup's May 5-8 Values and Beliefs poll, which has tracked attitudes toward legalizing same-sex marriage every year since 2004, adding to its initial polling on the topic in 1996 and 1999. < Same-Sex Marriage Debate Has Roots Going Back Centuries >
This year's 9-point increase in support for same-sex marriage is the largest year-to-year shift yet measured over this time period. For instance, two-thirds of Americans were opposed to legalized same-sex marriage in 1996, with 27 percent in favor. By 2004, support had risen to 42 percent and, despite some fluctuations from year to year, stayed around that level of support through last year.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43110820/ns/health-health_care/
I've seen several polls released this year saying the same thing. This is great news. Time for the white house occupier to take a stronger stand than "I wrestle with the issue."