Gallup released a new survey on Wednesday revealing a sustained decline in public support for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, marking a shift from the nation’s highest levels of acceptance recorded a decade ago. The poll, conducted between July 1 and July 15, 2023, found 64% of respondents expressed support for “laws protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination,” down from 71% in 2021 and 78% in 2013. A separate question on same-sex marriage approval showed 61% agreement, a 10-point drop since 2019.
The findings align with a broader pattern of shifting public sentiment observed by other research institutions. A Pew Research Center analysis of 2022 data showed similar declines in support for transgender rights, with 54% of Americans backing anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals—a 12-point decrease from 2020. These trends contrast with the 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, which had previously driven a rapid rise in acceptance.
Political polarization appears to be a key factor. The Gallup poll found 78% of Democrats support LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination laws, compared to 49% of Republicans. This 29-point gap reflects a widening divide that has grown steadily since 2016. The survey also highlighted regional disparities, with 68% of urban residents supporting such measures versus 55% in rural areas.
Advocacy groups have responded to the data with caution. “While progress remains uneven, these numbers underscore the urgency of protecting LGBTQ+ communities amid increasing legislative challenges,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. She pointed to state-level efforts to restrict transgender youth participation in sports and access to healthcare as contributing factors to the shift.
The White House has not issued a formal response to the poll, but senior officials have emphasized continued commitment to LGBTQ+ rights. In a recent speech, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, “The United States remains a leader in advancing dignity for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.” However, the administration has faced criticism for its handling of recent court rulings that rolled back federal protections for LGBTQ+ employees.
Analysts note that the decline in support coincides with a period of heightened political activism on both sides of the issue. The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, while primarily about abortion rights, has been cited by some lawmakers as precedent for limiting federal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. At the same time, conservative groups have launched new campaigns to frame LGBTQ+ rights as a threat to religious liberties.
Despite the downward trend, the Gallup poll shows that majorities in every demographic category still support LGBTQ+ protections. Age groups 18-29 and 30-49 showed the highest approval rates, at 68% and 66% respectively. The data also revealed that 58% of Catholics and 55% of Evangelical Christians endorse anti-discrimination laws, challenging assumptions about religious opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.
The next major development in this story will come in November 2023, when the Supreme Court is expected to rule on a case involving workplace protections for transgender employees. The outcome of that decision could significantly influence public opinion in the coming years.
