Support for same-sex marriage in the United States has recently decreased after previously reaching record levels. According to a new Gallup poll, about 65 percent of U.S. adults now believe same-sex marriage should be legal, down from a peak of 71 percent in 2022 and 2023. This marks a notable change in a trend that, for over two decades, showed steady growth in acceptance.
Recent Findings
The Gallup Values and Beliefs survey, released during Pride Month, highlighted this shift. Only 65 percent of Americans support legal same-sex marriage now, compared to the previous years. Additionally, 62 percent view gay and lesbian relationships as morally acceptable, the lowest since 2016. Support has declined across political groups, with varying magnitudes.
Adam Cohen-Aslatei, CEO of Three Day Rule, attributes this to the U.S. political landscape rather than a true decline in personal values. He suggests that individuals may be more selective about expressing their views publicly, as public sentiment and private beliefs can diverge during polarized times.
The survey, conducted from May 1 to May 17, 2026, involved 1,001 U.S. adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
A Changing Trend
The current findings are significant as they disrupt a decades-long increase in support. Gallup’s earlier reports showed a rise from 27 percent approval in 1996 to around 70 percent in recent years. Morality views on same-sex relationships also increased from around 40 percent in 2001 to 71 percent in 2022. However, support has now either declined or stabilized, suggesting it may not be a short-term fluctuation.
Cohen-Aslatei notes the importance of media representation in shaping public perception. He believes fewer LGBTQ characters and storylines currently feature in mainstream media, which impacts visibility and acceptance.
Political Breakdown
The poll reveals declines among Democrats, independents, and Republicans, but not evenly:
- Republicans:Support dropped sharply to about 37 percent, with moral acceptance also low at approximately 35 percent.
- Independents: Support remains relatively high at 67 percent, though it has decreased modestly.
- Democrats: Support is strong with a slight dip of about 1 point, with 87 percent continuing to back same-sex marriage.
The overall national decline is largely driven by Republican sentiment, but the downward trend is visible across all groups, albeit minimally among Democrats.
Political Tensions
The poll coincides with a controversial post by Republican Representative Andy Ogles, which criticized homosexuality in America. After backlash, including criticism from fellow Republicans like former Representative George Santos, Ogles apologized and stated that the post was made by his communications team without his approval.
Future Implications
It is uncertain if this decline signals a long-term shift in public opinion. Same-sex marriage remains legal across the nation. Future surveys will show if support stabilizes or continues to fall. Nicholas Hardy, a Texas-based psychotherapist, suggests this trend reflects political polarization more than changing social dynamics. If this trend persists, it could affect rights and societal norms.