A recent Gallup poll indicates that acceptance of same-sex marriage and relationships in the United States has plateaued after over two decades of increasing support. Approximately 65% of U.S. adults now believe same-sex marriage should be legal, a decrease from 71% in 2022 and 2023. The decline is primarily attributed to a drop in acceptance among Republicans, with only 37% supporting legal same-sex marriage and 35% considering gay and lesbian relations as 'morally acceptable.' Meanwhile, views among Democrats and independents remain largely unchanged, with most in these groups supporting same-sex marriage and viewing same-sex relations as moral.
The poll, conducted in May, reflects a growing partisan divide on LGBTQ+ issues, particularly concerning transgender rights, and highlights a push in some states to ban same-sex marriage. Historical data from Gallup shows that support for same-sex marriage was only 27% in 1996, rising steadily over the years until it peaked at around 70%.
Despite the recent decline, same-sex marriage has been recognized nationwide since a Supreme Court ruling in 2015. As of last year, there were over 800,000 married same-sex couples in the U.S. However, there have been ongoing calls to overturn this ruling, with legislation introduced in at least 11 states aimed at banning same-sex marriage. Some states have also introduced measures to protect same-sex marriage.
Additionally, the Gallup poll found that acceptance of transgender individuals is also declining, with only about 40% of Americans viewing gender change as morally acceptable, down from nearly 50% in 2021. Republican-controlled states have enacted laws restricting gender-affirming medical treatments for transgender minors and limiting their participation in sports. A recent court ruling challenged a military ban on transgender troops, indicating ongoing legal battles surrounding these issues.