A new Gallup survey suggests that American attitudes towards gender transition and broader LGBTQ issues continue to move in a more conservative direction, with moral acceptance of changing one’s gender falling to its lowest level since the polling company first began tracking the issue in 2021.
According to Gallup’s latest Values and Beliefs survey, only 38 per cent of Americans now consider gender transition morally acceptable, while 57 per cent regard it as morally wrong. When Gallup first asked the question in 2021, 46 per cent viewed the issue as morally acceptable and 51 per cent as morally wrong, indicating a steady shift in public opinion over the past five years.
The findings form part of a broader decline in support for several LGBTQ-related issues. Support for same-sex marriage has fallen to 65 per cent, down from a peak of 71 per cent recorded in 2022 and 2023, while the share of Americans who consider same-sex relations morally acceptable has declined to 62 per cent, the lowest level recorded since 2016.
Gallup found that the shift has been driven primarily by Republicans, although some movement has also been recorded among independents, while Democratic attitudes have remained largely stable.
The results come amid a wider political and cultural shift following Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Since taking office for a second term, the Trump administration has launched a broad campaign against woke ideology, rolling back federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes, restricting policies related to transgender participation in women’s sports, revising federal guidance on gender identity, and placing renewed emphasis on Christianity, traditional family structures, and conservative social values.
The Gallup data also suggest that the shift extends beyond LGBTQ-related issues and forms part of a broader change in Americans’ moral attitudes. While birth control remains widely accepted by 83 per cent of respondents and divorce by 74 per cent, support for other issues is considerably lower. Some 65 per cent consider sex between an unmarried man and woman morally acceptable, while 58 per cent say the same about having a child outside marriage. Gambling is viewed positively by 57 per cent of Americans.
At the same time, majorities regard a number of behaviours as morally wrong. 64 per cent view pornography negatively, while 70 per cent consider suicide morally wrong. Opposition rises further in the case of polygamy, which is rejected by 77 per cent of respondents, while 86 per cent oppose human cloning and 89 per cent condemn extramarital affairs.
Related articles:
At a time when public debate is increasingly polarized and superficial, Hungarian Conservative remains committed to depth, intellectual honesty, and independent conservative thought.
Producing high-quality journalism requires resources. Your contribution helps us expand our coverage, reach new audiences, and keep our content accessible.
Please consider supporting our mission.
