Majority of Americans Favor Gay Marriage

Today, released by Gallup. The results are based on a poll done earlier in the month. They have been tracking attitudes towards legalizing gay marriage for 7 years.

PRINCETON, NJ -- For the first time in Gallup's tracking of the issue, a majority of Americans (53%) believe same-sex marriage should be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages. The increase since last year came exclusively among political independents and Democrats. Republicans' views did not change.

 From the analysis:

This year's nine-percentage-point increase in support for same-sex marriage is the largest year-to-year shift yet measured over this time period. Two-thirds of Americans were opposed to legalized same-sex marriage in 1996, with 27% in favor. By 2004, support had risen to 42% and, despite some fluctuations from year to year, stayed at roughly that level through last year.

Republicans remain unmoved on this one. While democrats' and independents' support for same-sex marriage increased this year by 13 and 10 points, respectively, republicans' views on the issue did not change at all from last year.

And not surprisingly, the younger you are the more likely you are to be in support. 70% of those aged 18 to 34 support legalized same-sex marriage, while there is only 39% support in the 55 and older demographic.

Clearly, this remains a divisive issue with lines drawn along various lines including: political party affiliation, age, religious affiliation and marital status. However, the train has indeed left the station.