There is a broader shift in attitudes toward transgender issues, with about 4 in 10 Americans now finding gender transition morally acceptable, down from nearly 50% in 2021, and Republican-led states have enacted or pursued restrictions on transgender rights and access to gender-affirming care.

The Gallup poll was conducted May 1–17, 2026, via telephone with 1,001 U.S. adults, yielding a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Overall support for same-sex marriage remains at about 65% of U.S. adults, a decline from 71% in 2022 and 2023, driven largely by reduced support among Republicans who are less likely to view gay and lesbian relations as morally acceptable.

Policy and legal developments are shaping LGBTQ+ rights, with state restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors, school bathroom access rules, and transgender athletes’ participation in sports, while federal actions and court decisions have pursued similar policy directions and impacted military service.