The divide between Democrats and Republicans on the morality of marriage equality is at its highest level, according to a new poll conducted by Gallup.
Overall, a record 88 percent of Democrats supported marriage equality, compared to only 41 percent of Republicans – a low not seen since the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which affirmed marriage equality in 2015.
While 68 percent of Americans support marriage equality, the 47 percent gap between Republicans and Democrats on the issue is the highest recorded since Gallup began polling on the issue of marriage equality in 1996.
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The poll was conducted from May 1 to 18 and asked a sample of 1,003 adults a series of questions about marriage equality and the morality of same-sex sexual relations. All interviewees were 18 years of age or older and came from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The poll claims a margin of error of ±4 percentage points.
Interviewees were asked the following question: “Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?”
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Democrats supported marriage equality with 88 percent. Republican support for marriage equality was only 41 percent. Independents supported marriage equality with 76 percent.
watermarked Gallup poll graph showing americans support of marriage equality for same sex couples
Americans support marriage equality by a wide margin.
Interviewees were also queried about their moral perception of same-sex sexual relations.
“Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal, for each one, please tell me whether you personally believe that in general it is morally acceptable or morally wrong? How about gay or lesbian relations?” interviewees were asked.
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For Democrats, 87 percent viewed same-sex sexual relations as morally acceptable, while only 38 percent of Republicans felt similarly.
watermarked Gallup poll graph showing americans moral support of marriage equality for same sex couples
Republican belief that same-sex sexual relations are moral continues to dip.
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Support for both marriage equality and the morality of same-sex sexual relations comes from a broad range of demographics, with only weekly attendees of church services disapproving of marriage equality and same-sex sexual relations. Only 33 percent of this demographic supported marriage equality and only 24 percent found same-sex sexual relations morally acceptable.
watermarked Gallup poll graph showing americans moral support of marriage equality for same sex couples
Only Americans who attended church at least once per week disapproved of marriage equality and same-sex sexual relations, and by wide margins.
Since 1996, support for marriage equality in the U.S. has consistently increased, according to Gallup. In that year, only 27 percent of Americans were in favor. This support grew to a majority in 2011 and has remained at that level since. Support has remained above 61 percent overall since 2016, a year after the Obergefell decision.
While support for marriage equality remains high, Gallup warns that the deepening divide signals potential trouble for the support and protection of LGBTQ+ rights in the country, as Republican support for marriage equality and acceptance of same-sex sexual relations has been steadily decreasing in recent years.
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“Despite the stable national backing for same-sex marriage and relations, the widening political divide suggests potential vulnerabilities in the durability of LGBTQ+ rights. In 2022, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his concurring opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that the high court ‘should reconsider’ its past rulings, including those on same-sex relationships and marriage,” Gallup concludes. “Since then, Republican lawmakers in some states have introduced resolutions asking the Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell. During his second term, President Donald Trump has implemented policies that significantly roll back LGBTQ+ protections, particularly affecting transgender individuals. These occurrences suggest that same-sex marriage in the U.S. could face renewed legal and political challenges.”
marriage equality, sexual relations, Republicans, Republican support, support
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