Poll: Marriage equality supported by 65% of Democrats

With the Democratic Party officially adding a platform plank supporting gay marriage, a new poll by the Pew Research Center shows why such a move makes sense.

According to the new poll, 65% of Democrats now support same-sex marriage.  This is an increase of 15 points from 50% in 2008.

The poll also shows Independents now support marriage equality to the tune of 51%, versus 40% who oppose equal rights for gays and lesbians.  That's a seven point move up in support from 2008's 44%.

Just 24% of Republicans now favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally, which is only slightly higher than the percentage of Republicans who supported gay marriage in 2008 (19%).

The Pew poll used 2,973 live telephone interviews with American adults conducted June 28th to July 9th. It has a sampling error of 2.1 percent.