Decline in Support for Same-Sex Marriage in the United States

Support for same-sex marriage in the United States has decreased in recent years, following a period of heightened acceptance. A recent Gallup poll illustrates this shift, finding that 65 percent of U.S. adults now support the legalization of same-sex marriage. This marks a decline from the 71 percent recorded in the years 2022 and 2023. This change suggests a potential turning point in public opinion, one that has been steadily rising since the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2015 that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

The latest findings from the Gallup Values and Beliefs survey reveal that support dropped during a period traditionally marked by increasing acceptance. Conducted from May 1-17, 2026, among 1,001 U.S. adults, the survey results show a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. It indicates a pause in the long-standing trend of growing support, hinting at possible stagnation or reversal of opinions.

Adam Cohen-Aslatei, CEO of the matchmaking company Three Day Rule, suggests the decline might be more about the current political climate affecting how individuals publicly express their views rather than a genuine decrease in support. During periods of heightened polarization, public and private sentiments may diverge significantly.

Current Levels of Support

The Gallup survey, released during Pride Month, reports that nationwide, 62 percent of Americans find gay and lesbian relationships morally acceptable. This is the lowest level since 2016. The survey highlights that support has decreased across all political affiliations, but with varying magnitude.

Breakdown by Political Affiliation

• Republicans: Support has dramatically decreased to around 37 percent, with moral acceptance also falling to approximately 35 percent.
• Independents: Support remains relatively high at 67 percent but has shown a modest decline.
• Democrats: Support is still strong. A slight drop of about 1 point has been observed, with 87 percent continuing to endorse same-sex marriage.

Nicholas Hardy, a psychotherapist at Hardy Behavioral Health, interprets this as a reflection of the prevailing political landscape, especially among traditionally conservative Republicans.

Controversial Statements and Reactions

The decline in support coincides with controversial statements from Republican Representative Andy Ogles. His post, which was later deleted, suggested that homosexuality has no place in America, prompting backlash, including from Republican figures like former Representative George Santos. Ogles apologized, attributing the post to a team member’s error.

Future Implications

It is uncertain whether this decline reflects a long-term change in public opinion. Same-sex marriage remains legally protected nationwide, but if this trend continues, it could signify deeper political divides and potentially threaten related rights. Future polls will provide insights into whether these attitudes will stabilize or continue to shift.

Nicholas Hardy notes that the current trends may have broader social implications, potentially affecting the legal status of certain rights if they persist.