Latinos reversing course, support gay marriage

Latinos are changing their attitudes about same-sex marriage, joining growing support in the rest of the country to allow gay couples to marry.

More than half, or 52%, of Latinos say they support gay marriage in a new poll by the Pew Research Center. The general public supports gay marriage, 48%-44%.

The finding for Latinos is opposite of attitudes in 2006: Pew says 56% of Latinos opposed same-sex marriage six years ago, while 31% supported it.

Not surprisingly, about two-thirds of Latinos who consider themselves evangelicals are opposed to same-sex marriage compared with 25% who are in favor.

Voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington state will decide whether to recognize gay marriage. Minnesota voters will consider a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Latinos make up 11% of the population in Washington state.