Marriage for same-sex couples has been legal in the U.S. since the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. A Gallup report reveals a significant shift in public opinion since then, highlighting a growing divide between Democrats and Republicans regarding same-sex marriage. While Democratic support has risen steadily post-ruling, Republican backing has dropped by 14 points, from a high of 55% in 2021 and 2022 to 41% currently. Notably, 88% of Democrats endorse the legal recognition of same-sex marriages, reflecting a 47-point gap—the largest since Gallup began tracking this issue in 1996. Support also remains strong among independents (76%) and the general U.S. adult population (68%).
A parallel question regarding the moral acceptability of “gay or lesbian relations” shows similar trends: 86% of Democrats and 69% of independents find such relations morally acceptable, compared to only 38% of Republicans. Support for same-sex marriage is notably higher among women, younger individuals, and college graduates, indicating a demographic divide in perspectives.
The widening political divide raises concerns about the future of LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. The report references Justice Clarence Thomas’s opinion in the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, where he suggested revisiting past Supreme Court decisions, including the same-sex marriage ruling. Additionally, there is growing legislative activity against same-sex marriage, with lawmakers in at least nine states introducing measures aimed at undermining marriage rights for same-sex couples.
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