Gay Rights Poll: ABC News, Washington Post Survey Finds Support For Same-Sex Marriage, Ending Boy Scout Ban

Support For Gay Marriage, Ending Boy Scout Ban On Gays Surges In U.S.

Support for gay rights -- from ending the controversial ban on gay participants in Boy Scouts to legalizing same-sex marriage -- is surging throughout the United States, according to a new survey.

The poll, conducted by ABC News and The Washington Post, 55 percent of Americans say they support the right of same-sex couples to legally tie the knot. Meanwhile, seven out of 10 said they backed NBA veteran Jason Collins' decision to come forward about his sexual orientation in a Sports Illustrated Op-Ed.

According to officials, the poll used a random national sample of 1,008 adults contacted by landline and cell phone May 1-5, 2013.

The results are largely in line with other recent polls. A December survey, released by POLITICO and George Washington University, showed that, out of 1,000 likely voters, 40 percent of respondents said they support marriage equality, while 30 percent said they supported civil unions.

Meanwhile, an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released in April found that 63 percent of Americans believed the federal government should recognize gay marriages performed in states that have legalized them.

View results from the poll below:

Jason Collins' Announcement

ABC Gay Rights Poll

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