But that’s down 8 points in 2 months:

Since the August poll, Senate Republicans blocked efforts to set the stage for a legislative repeal of the policy and a district judge ordered that the policy no longer be enforced, a ruling being appealed by the government… The decision that the policy can no longer be enforced has prompted discharged gay troops to reenlist, though their status could change as courts rule on the issue. The Pentagon has instructed gay troops who are currently serving to stay in the closet for now.

The new poll, taken between October 6th and 8th, found that 56 percent of Americans favor allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly, while 31 percent oppose letting them do so.

Democrats and independents favored allowing gay troops to serve by wide margins. (65 percent to 27 percent in the case of Democrats, and 55 percent to 27 percent for independents.) Republicans were split on the question.

Women also widely favored allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly, 63 percent to 26 percent. Men were in favor by a narrower margin, 49 percent to 37 percent.

RELATED: AP on why Obama administration lawyers are in court fighting to save a law the president opposes.