51% Of Americans Approve Of Barack Obama's Gay Marriage Support

According to a new poll 51% of Americans approve President Barack Obama’s recent declaration of  support for same-sex marriage.

An a hastily arranged interview with ABC News Obama officially came out in support of gay marriage. The President had previously stated his views were “evolving” on the issue but had never stated his opinion directly either way. Following Vice President Joe Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s public pldges of support for same-sex marriage Obama came under pressure to state his own views on the controversial issue.

Obama told ABC  News “‘It is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.” Hollywood stars such as Jane Lynch, Cyndi Lauper, Mia Farrow and Betty White all gave their support to Obama after the interview. Now a new poll has revealed the President has the backing of the (slim) majority of the American public.

The poll, by Gallup/USA Today, surveyed 1,012 adults across the USA and 51% said they agreed with Obama’s support for gay marriage while 45% disagreed. Around 13% said the shift on marriage equality would make them more likely to vote for him while 60% said it would have no bearing on their voting decisions.