A national survey released today by the Washington Post and ABC News shows that support for marriage equality has increased since the Supreme Court decided two marriage-related cases last summer.

According to the poll, 59 percent of Americans say they support same-sex marriage. Additionally, a majority of Americans believe that marriage is a constitutional right that should apply to gay and lesbian couples.

The support is also widespread geographically, even in states that do not yet have marriage equality. In the 33 states that prohibit same-sex marriage, 53 percent of those polled support allowing it.

This is the 40^th poll to confirm that a majority of Americans support the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples.