Changed minds, demographics in gay marriage shift

This video framegrab, provided by the Human Rights Campaign shows former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announcing her support for gay marriage. Knowing someone who is gay or just getting older and thinking about the issue are two big reasons the country is viewing same-sex marriage more favorably, according to a national survey. The Pew Research Center poll helps explain why Americans seem to be changing their minds on the issue and follows the recent public embrace of gay marriage by Clinton and Republican Sen. Rob Portman. (AP Photo/Human Rights Campaign)

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2012, file photo, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, waves to the delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. Portman said Thursday, March 14, 2013 that he now supports gay marriage and says his reversal on the issue began when he learned one of his sons is gay. Knowing someone who is gay or just getting older and thinking about the issue are two big reasons the country is viewing same-sex marriage more favorably, according to a national survey. The Pew Research Center poll helps explain why Americans seem to be changing their minds on the issue and follows the recent public embrace of gay marriage by Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton and Portman. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A national survey says the country views same-sex marriage more favorably because of a shift among people who know someone who is gay or who have changed their views as they grow older.

The Pew Research Center poll also finds that a large group of younger adults are more open to gay rights and are driving the numbers up. The issue grabbed the national spotlight recently with the public embrace of same-sex marriage by Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio.

Overall, the poll finds 49 percent of Americans favor same-sex marriage. That includes 14 percent who say they had changed their minds.

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When asked why, almost one-third said they know someone who is gay. A quarter said their personal views changed over time.