The support among Americans for same-sex marriage continues to rise, with 55 percent supporting the law recognizing gay marriage, Gallup reports. It is the highest number in the history of the poll.
Two successive Gallup polls saw support rise from 53 percent to 54 percent, with 55 percent supporting same-sex marriage in the latest May 8-11 poll.
The numbers have steadily increased since Gallup first posed the question in 1996. Back then, 68 percent were opposed to recognizing gay marriage, with only 27 percent supporting it.
When Massachusetts became the first state to legalize marriage between homosexuals in 2004, support had reached 42 percent. Support topped 50 percent for the first time in 2011 and has remained above that level since then.
According to Gallup, the most dramatic difference in opinions tends to be between age groups.
“Currently, adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are nearly twice as likely to support marriage equality as adults aged of 65 and older,” Gallup reports.
Differences are also seen among party lines, with 74 percent of Democrats supporting gay marriage compared to 30 percent of Republicans and 58 percent of independents. Republicans’ support has nearly doubled since 1996.
Same-sex marriage is now legal in 19 states and the District of Columbia, and federal judges recently struck down laws banning gay marriage in Pennsylvania and Oregon.
