Pride Losing Its Stride? Survey Shows Support for LGBTQ Issues Slipping

After a two-decade rise, public support for LGBTQ+ issues is dropping, according to Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs survey published Wednesday.

Support for same-sex marriage, the morality of gay and lesbian relationships, and endorsement of gender changes are all down from their early 2020s highs.

“The change has come as conservative leaders have pushed back against diversity, equity and inclusion programs that were intended to foster greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ people and other historically disadvantaged groups,” Gallup stated.

The Values and Beliefs survey, conducted May 1–17, is based on telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,001 adults.

Fewer Loving ‘Love Is Love’

While 65% still agree that “same-sex marriages should be valid,” that’s a six-point drop from its peak in 2022–2023.

Gallup states, “Between 1996 and 2022, the percentage of U.S. adults in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage increased by 44 points, from 27% to 71%. In 2024, the figure dipped to 69%, and it has shown a marginal decline each year since.”

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Sixty-two percent of those surveyed now believe “gay or lesbian relationships are morally acceptable.” That’s the lowest support for the statement since 2016.

Gallup first asked about the morality of same-sex relations in 2001, when 40% said they were morally acceptable. By 2022, the level of support had risen to 71%, before a sharp drop to 64% in 2023. The support has held at roughly that level for the past three years

Changing Our Minds About Gender Changing

Among the issues listed in the survey, gender transitioning saw the largest decline. Only 38% agree that “changing one’s gender is morally acceptable.” That’s an eight-point fall in five years.

“When Gallup first asked about changing one’s gender in 2021, 46% found it morally acceptable, and 51% found it morally wrong. Today, those numbers stand at 38% and 57%, respectively,” Gallup stated.

Why Are Fewer Flying the Rainbow Flag?

According to Gallup, the downturn in support for LGBTQ+ issues is partisan, with a dramatic fall among Republicans and, to a lesser extent, independents. However, Democrat support has remained stable.

Republican support for same-sex marriage plummeted from 55% in 2022 to 37% today. Independents’ support for same-sex marriage has dropped six points to 67%, while Democrat support remains an overwhelming 87%.

It’s the same story for gay and lesbian relationships. Since 2022, the share of Republicans saying such relationships are morally acceptable has nosedived 21 points to 35%. This is roughly where support was between 2005 and 2014.

Gallup connects the drop to conservative rebellion against diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

In recent years, activists have promoted monthlong Pride celebrations, drag queens in classrooms, LGBTQ+ merchandise for children, rainbow-colored crosswalks, men in women’s sports, and LGBTQ+ characters and themes in movie and TV shows.