Two-thirds of Americans now back same-sex marriage, among them almost half of Republicans and larger proportions of religious people—the highest level of support ever registered by a survey that polled opinions every year for two decades. Some 62 percent of Americans now say they back the rights of gay and lesbian people to marry, versus 32 percent who say they are opposed, the Pew Research Center poll found. This marks a spike in support since March last year, when 55 percent of Americans were in favor, and a huge rise since 2010, when more Americans were against (48 percent) same-sex

marriage than supported it (42 percent). For the first time, there is no majority among Republicans—whose party has often opposed liberal LGBT rights policies—against gay marriage; 48 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning voters are opposed, while 47 percent support same-sex marriage. Among those in favor are, for the first time, the baby boomer generation, of whom 56 percent now back same-sex marriage, with 39 percent against it. This marks a significant rise from last year’s survey, which saw 46 percent in favor and 48 percent opposed. READ MORE