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Age Matters More Than Sexuality to US Presidential Voters, Poll Finds

A decade ago, "it was controversial just to see a presidential candidate who's supportive of gay rights," said one expert, noting that there's now an openly gay candidate

A new poll finds that Americans are more likely to say they'd reject a presidential candidate who is older than 70 than one who's gay, Reuters reported.

The findings in Monday's Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted ahead of the 50th anniversary of the uprising at New York City's Stonewall Inn, are a sign that a candidate's sexual orientation is a diminished concern for voters.

Two Democrats in the party's crowded primary field are over 70: former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders. One is openly gay, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Buttigieg's candidacy shows how far the country has come from a decade ago, when "it was controversial just to see a presidential candidate who's supportive of gay rights," according to American University government professor Andrew Flores.

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