Changing minds on same-sex marriage

By Michael J.W. Stickings

A few days ago, in blogging about the NAACP's endorsement of same-sex marriage, I wrote that President Obama's historic announcement would likely "accelerate the already growing support for same-sex marriage, particularly among blacks but throughout the population as a whole," and indeed that "already we are seeing the positive impacts of Obama's announcement." Well...

Public opinion continues to shift in favor of same-sex marriage, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, which also finds initial signs that President Obama's support for the idea may have changed a few minds.

Overall, 53 percent of Americans say gay marriage should be legal, hitting a high mark in support while showing a dramatic turnaround from just six years ago, when just 36 percent thought it should be legal. Thirty-nine percent, a new low, say gay marriage should be illegal.

The poll also finds that 59 percent of African Americans say they support same-sex marriage, up from an average of 41 percent in polls leading up to Obama’s announcement of his new position on the matter. Though statistically significant, it is a tentative result because of the relatively small sample of black voters in the poll.

There you go.

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In related news, add Colin Powell to the right side of history. At least on this issue.