A new ABC News/Washington Post poll reveals that half of Americans see gay marriage as a constitutional right, versus 43 percent who don't. Public opinion has rapidly shifted on gay marriage in recent years, and 19 states and the District of Columbia now allow gay couples to legally wed.
Unsurprisingly, the poll shows that age and ideology are closely correlated with opinions on gay marriage. Seventy-seven percent of respondents younger than 30 support gay marriage, compared to 38 percent of seniors. Eighty-four percent of liberals back gay marriage, and 62 percent of moderates do, too. Among those who describe themselves as "somewhat conservative," gay marriage gets 37 percent support, compared to just 22 percent among people who are "very conservative."
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