A huge shift in support for marriage equality

The African-American middle class, and especially its black preachers, have always tended to be intensely homophobic and were strongly opposed to marriage equality for same-sex partners.

Obama's recent endorsement of gay marriage has had a profound shift in this group, at least in Ohio where this poll was conducted.

Last October, Public Policy Polling surveyed black Ohio voters on same-sex marriage.  Asked "Do you support the legalization of same-sex marriage?"  The results:

     approve       16%

     oppose         63%

A new poll (just 8 months later)

     approve        42%

     oppose          35%

This is a huge shift, from a difference of  -47% to  +7% -- a full 54% shift.

In addition:  in the new poll 76% either support full marriage or, if not, civil unions.

The other important thing to note here is that this issue isn't likely to diminish the black vote for Obama, as was feared.

Ralph