New poll reveals 64 percent of Americans support same-sex marriage

Almost two years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled individual states could not prohibit same-sex marriage, American support for the social issue has hit a record high.

According to Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs poll, 64 percent of Americans say same-sex marriage should be legal. This is up from 61 percent in 2016, and marks the highest nationwide approval rating for gay marriage -- up from 27 percent in 1996 when Gallup began tracking the trend.

RELATED: Supreme Court same-sex marriage arguments, gay marriage

Another notable upward trend for same-sex marriage approval comes from a religious demographic.

"For the first time," Gallup notes, "majority of Protestants support gay marriage."

Democrats remain most likely politically-affiliated demographic to support gay marriage, with 74 percent of Dems supporting the issue. Gallup also notes that 71 percent of Independents and a record, but still low, 47 percent of Republicans back same-sex marriage.

While one-third of Americans remain opposed to gay marriage, LGBT advocates have largely shifted their policy agenda to include transgender rights in response to legislation like North Carolina's HB2 "bathroom bill" -- which has since been repealed.