Amidst a shifting landscape of public opinion, recent surveys indicate a decline in support for same-sex marriage among Americans. The latest poll conducted by The Economist/YouGov highlights this trend, showing a notable decrease in approval compared to previous years.
The survey, released Tuesday, collected responses from 1,559 adults in the U.S. between July 25–27, with a margin of error of ±3.3 percentage points. Among the various issues addressed, the legality of same-sex marriage was a key focus.
Since the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex marriage has been legal across all states. The 2022 Respect for Marriage Act, signed by then-President Joe Biden, further entrenched this decision into federal law.
According to the poll, 54% of Americans believe same-sex marriage should remain legal, with 32% opposed and 13% undecided. While the majority still favors legalization, this figure is lower than those reported in other recent surveys.
Earlier this year, a survey by the Public Religion Research Institute reported 65% support, down from 69% in 2022. A Gallup poll released in June showed 65% support, also noting a decline from 71% the previous year.
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, commented on this decrease in an op-ed for The Christian Post. He asserted, “The promise of ‘marriage equality’ was that it was simply about allowing committed same-sex couples to formalize their relationships. Americans were assured that nothing else would change.” He attributed the decline to various cultural shifts, including public pride events and corporate pressures related to LGBTQ+ issues.
Perkins also cited concerns over the impact of gender transition procedures and the participation of trans individuals in women’s sports as factors influencing public opinion on same-sex marriage. He stated, “Once marriage is detached from the complementary union of man and woman, it becomes increasingly difficult to explain why mothers and fathers matter, why men and women are different, or why children have a right to both.”
The Economist/YouGov’s previous polls have shown similar trends, with support for same-sex marriage ranging from 51% to 55% over several months, while opposition fluctuated around 32% to 34%. For more detailed results from these polls in May 2026, visit here.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
