New ABC/Washington Post Poll: Majority support marriage equality

Washington United for Marriage Hails New National Poll Showing Support

for Marriage Equality Bests Opposition to Freedom to Marry

Washington United for Marriage (WUM), the broad coalition dedicated to protecting marriage for loving, same-sex couples in the state, today highlighted the findings of a new ABC/Washington Post poll, released today, that found, for the first time, that strong support for marriage equality usurped strong opposition.

According to the poll, 53% of Americans favor the freedom to marry with 39% strongly supporting it and just 32% strongly opposed.  The numbers reflect the steady upward trend of solid support which just six years ago, tilted the other way with a 27 point gap in favorability.  According to ABC's analysis of the findings, "strong opposition to gay marriage is at a new low in the polls since 2004, while strong support is at a numerical high, producing a seven-point positive gap."

In addition, and following last week's announcement by the NAACP which endorsed civil marriage for same-sex couples, the poll found that African-American support now reaches 59%. 

"While we're pleased with these numbers, they don't surprise us," said WUM campaign manager Zack Silk. "Everywhere we go in Washington, from our cities to our small towns, from conversations with our young up-and-comers to our parents and grandparents, people understand that marriage matters, that everyone should be able to make that lifetime commitment to the person they love."

For the full ABC/Washington Post poll, go here: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/strong-support-for-gay-marriage-now-exceeds-strong-opposition/

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Washington United for Marriage is a coalition of organizations, congregations, unions, and business associations working together to secure civil marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples. To find more information and learn how you can help, visit WashingtonUnitedForMarriage.org. Engage with Washington United for Marriage on social media at Twitter.com/WA4Marriage and at Facebook.com/WashingtonUnited.