That figure is up from 62 percent in 2001 and 44 percent in 1993 -- when the administration of former President Bill Clinton instituted "don't ask-don't tell," a policy that allows gays to enter the military but forbids them from disclosing their orientation or acting on it sexually.

Majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents all said gays should be permitted to serve openly, the Post said Friday.

The poll found 64 percent of Republicans approve of allowing gays to serve in the military. In 1993, only 32 percent said they should.

More than 80 percent of Democrats and more than 75 percent of independents said gays should be allowed to serve openly in the armed forces. Only 50 percent of military veterans agreed, the poll found, while 57 percent of white evangelical protestants said gays should be allowed to serve.

The telephone survey was conducted July 10-13, polling a national random national sample of 1,119 adults with a margin of error of 3 percent.