Support for same-sex marriage shows signs of stalling
HADDONFIELD (US), June 3: A new Gallup poll suggests that US support for same-sex marriage and acceptance of gay and lesbian relationships may have plateaued after more than two decades of steady growth, largely due to declining support among Republicans.
The survey, conducted in May, found that 65 per cent of American adults believe same-sex marriage should be legal, down from 71 per cent in 2022 and 2023. Similarly, 62 per cent now view gay and lesbian relationships as morally acceptable, compared with 71 per cent three years ago.
The decline is concentrated among Republicans. Only 37 per cent of Republicans now support legal same-sex marriage, while 35 per cent consider same-sex relationships morally acceptable. In contrast, support among Democrats and independents has remained largely stable, with majorities continuing to back marriage equality and acceptance of same-sex relationships.
The findings mark a notable shift from the long-term trend in US public opinion. Gallup data show that support for same-sex marriage rose from just 27 per cent in 1996 to around 70 per cent in recent years. Acceptance of same-sex relationships followed a similar trajectory, increasing from about 40 per cent in 2001 before reaching its peak.
The poll also highlights growing political divisions over LGBTQ+ issues. Same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, and more than 800,000 same-sex married couples were recorded in the US by last year. However, opposition has persisted, with some conservative groups and lawmakers seeking to overturn or limit recognition of same-sex marriages. Legislators in at least 11 states have recently introduced measures calling for restrictions, although most have failed to advance.
The survey further found declining acceptance of transgender people. About 40 per cent of Americans now view changing one’s gender as morally acceptable, down from nearly 50 per cent in 2021. The issue has become a major political battleground, with many Republican-led states adopting restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors, participation in sports and access to bathrooms matching gender identity. The debate continues at the federal level, even as a recent court ruling struck down a military ban on transgender service members. (AP)
