Poll Shows More Americans Back Gay Marriage

A new poll shows many Americans are shifting their stance on gay marriage.

According to an ABC News poll released Wednesday, 59 percent of Americans now support gay marriage, and only 34 percent are opposed.

Eighty-one percent also said businesses should not be allowed to refuse service based on religious beliefs to gays and lesbians.

These numbers are a dramatic change from a poll ABC released in March 2004. In that poll, 38 percent said they supported legalizing gay marriage, and 59 percent were against it.

Currently, 33 states prohibit same-sex marriage.