A majority of Missouri voters say the government should recognize the unions of gay and lesbian couples.

According to a Public Policy Polling survey of 602 Missouri voters released Friday, 64 percent said they believe gay couples should either be allowed to marry (33%) or form civil unions (31%). Thirty-two percent said there should be no legal recognition of a gay couple's relationship.

While a majority (52%) of voters say gay marriage should be illegal, opposition has decreased 7 percentage points since September, and support has increased four percent.

Pollsters noted that support among African-Americans increased in several state polls, notably in Maryland and Pennsylvania, after President Barack Obama gave his personal endorsement, and the trend was also visible in Missouri.

"President Obama's nod of approval continues to influence black voters' own opinions," pollsters wrote in releasing the survey's findings. "African-American voters lead the spike in support for gay marriage after a complete turnaround from just four months ago. 50% of Missouri African Americans think gay marriage should be legal, twice their level of support in January. 81% of Missouri African Americans believe gay couples should either be allowed to marry or form civil unions, a 31-point upswing from the previous survey."


Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine