Since the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalized same-sex marriage across the U.S. in 2015, public opinion has shifted significantly. A recent Gallup report shows that while support for gay marriage among Democrats has increased, Republican approval has dropped, falling from a peak of 55% in 2021-2022 to 41% currently. In contrast, 88% of Democrats favor legal recognition of same-sex marriages, marking a 47-point partisan gap—the widest since Gallup began tracking this issue in 1996. Among independents, 76% support same-sex marriage, and 68% of all surveyed adults share this view.
Additionally, the poll explored attitudes toward the morality of same-sex relationships. It found that 86% of Democrats, 69% of independents, and only 38% of Republicans consider such relations “morally acceptable.” Support for gay marriage and acceptance of same-sex relationships is notably higher among women, younger people, and college graduates, compared to men, older individuals, and those without a college degree.
However, the widening political divide raises concerns about the stability of LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. The report references Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who suggested re-evaluating past rulings, including the Obergefell decision, in his opinion regarding the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case that overturned Roe v. Wade. In addition, there have been legislative attempts in at least nine states to undermine same-sex marriage rights, further indicating potential vulnerabilities in the ongoing battle for LGBTQ+ equality.
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