Key facts
- Support for same-sex marriage among U.S. adults has declined.
- 65% of U.S. adults believe same-sex marriage should be legal, down from 71% in 2022-2023.
- Only 37% of Republicans now support same-sex marriage legality.
- Views of Democrats and independents on same-sex marriage remain largely stable.
- Acceptance of gay and lesbian relations as morally acceptable also declined to 62% from 71% in 2022.
A recent Gallup poll indicates a flattening and slight decline in support for same-sex marriage among U.S. adults, marking a shift after decades of steady increases. The poll, conducted in May, found that 65% of U.S. adults believe same-sex marriage should be legal, down from 71% in 2022 and 2023. This downtick is largely attributed to dropping acceptance among Republicans, with only 37% of GOP members now supporting same-sex marriage legality. In contrast, the views of Democrats and independents remain largely stable. The poll also revealed a decline in the moral acceptability of gay and lesbian relations, falling to 62% from 71% in 2022. This widening partisan divide is occurring amidst increased legislative efforts in some states to ban same-sex marriage and ongoing debates surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, particularly for transgender individuals.