U.S. Support for LGBTQ+ Issues Remains Down From Peak

Key Points:

• After two decades of increasing support, U.S. attitudes toward LGBTQ+ issues have plateaued and shown modest declines in approval of same-sex marriage, moral acceptance of gay and lesbian relations, and endorsement of gender changes, according to Gallup’s 2026 Values and Beliefs survey.
• Support for legal same-sex marriage among Americans has dropped to 65%, down six points from its peak in 2022-2023, while moral acceptance of gay and lesbian relations stands at 62%, the lowest since 2016; acceptance of changing one’s gender has declined eight points over five years to 38%.
• The decline in support is primarily driven by Republicans, whose favorability toward same-sex marriage fell from 55% in 2021-2022 to 37% in 2026, and whose moral acceptance of gay and lesbian relations dropped 21 points to 35%, aligning with levels seen between 2005 and 2014.
• Republicans’ acceptance of gender changes has decreased sharply from 22% in 2021 to 5% in 2026, while independents and Democrats have remained relatively stable, though independents also show some decline this year.
• The recent shift coincides with conservative opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives aimed at promoting acceptance of LGBTQ+ and other historically disadvantaged groups, marking a reversal after two decades of growing acceptance.