Support for Same-Sex Marriage in the U.S. Sees Decline

A new Gallup poll reveals a decline in support for same-sex marriage in the United States, marking a shift after over two decades of steady growth in acceptance. Currently, about 65% of U.S. adults believe same-sex marriage should be legal, down from a peak of 71% recorded in 2022 and 2023. This represents a potential turning point in public opinion trends, following the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.

Key Findings

The latest Gallup Values and Beliefs survey, published during Pride Month, found a decrease in support across political affiliations. Nationwide, 62% of Americans consider gay and lesbian relationships to be “morally acceptable,” the lowest since 2016. Adam Cohen-Aslatei, CEO of Three Day Rule, attributes this shift more to changes in political expression than an actual drop in support. He noted that public sentiment and private sentiment might differ, especially under heightened polarization or social pressure.

The survey conducted in May 2026, involved 1,001 U.S. adults with a margin of error of ±4 percentage points.

Historical Trends & Changes

This decline interrupts the growth trend seen since 1996 when support for same-sex marriage was only 27%. By recent years, it rose to nearly 70%. The morality of same-sex relationships also saw growth, peaking at 71% in 2022. Experts caution against viewing this as merely a one-year anomaly.

Cohen-Aslatei observes fewer LGBTQ characters and storylines in mainstream media today. Representation, he argues, is crucial for inclusivity and understanding.

Political Breakdown

Declines in support vary by political affiliation:

• Republicans: Support has dropped to about 37%. Moral acceptance is lower at around 35%.
• Independents: Support remains relatively high at 67%, with a modest decline.
• Democrats: Support remains strong with a minor dip of about 1 point, maintaining an 87% majority backing.

Overall, the drop is predominantly driven by Republican responses, though visible among all groups.

Psychotherapist Nicholas Hardy attributes this trend to political polarization, with Republicans historically more socially conservative.

Notable Events

The poll followed a controversial post by Republican Representative Andy Ogles, which criticized homosexuality in America. The post, later deleted, coincided with Pride Month. Following backlash, Ogles apologized, attributing the post to a staff error.

Future Implications

It’s uncertain if this decline indicates a lasting shift in public opinion. Same-sex marriage remains legal nationwide, and support is in the majority. Future polls will assess if attitudes stabilize or continue declining.

Hardy suggests that ongoing polarization rather than changing social dynamics influences these trends. If the political climate shifts further, it may lead to questions about changing societal beliefs and potential implications for rights.