The recent findings from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute indicate a decline in public support for same-sex marriage and nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, despite overall high levels of support. Melissa Deckman, CEO of the PRRI, highlighted this notable shift after years of increasing public backing for LGBTQ+ rights. The analysis, examining attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights across various policies, revealed a softening of support for these measures for the first time in nearly a decade.
While the majority of Americans still endorse protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, Deckman cautioned that these results could serve as a warning for those advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, especially in light of conservative efforts to undermine them legislatively and legally.
Key findings include:
– Support for same-sex marriage dropped from 69% in 2022 to 67% in 2023.
– Support for policies protecting LGBTQ+ Americans from discrimination in various areas decreased from 80% in 2022 to 76% in 2023.
– Opposition to allowing businesses to deny services to LGBTQ+ individuals based on religious beliefs decreased from 65% in 2022 to 60% in 2023.
The analysis also noted a strong connection between adherence to Christian nationalism and opposition to LGBTQ+ rights policies. Changes were primarily driven by shifts in conservative attitudes toward LGBTQ+ protections, with a decrease in Republican support for such protections observed.
Despite a growing majority in favor of same-sex marriage since 2014, there was a decline in support among Republicans and independent voters in 2023. These findings come amidst a challenging legal and political landscape for the LGBTQ+ community, with conservative backlash against LGBTQ+ rights gaining momentum.
The survey underscores the unpredictability of support for hard-fought rights and the inadequacy of majority support alone to safeguard the legal rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. Recent court decisions and state-level legislative actions have raised concerns about further erosion of LGBTQ+ rights.
Additionally, the survey provides insights into the LGBTQ+ community, revealing that over one in ten Americans identified as LGBTQ+ in 2023, with a significant portion under the age of 30. The majority of LGBTQ+ individuals are religiously unaffiliated, with a sizable minority identifying with a Christian faith. Political liberalism is prevalent among nearly six in ten LGBTQ+ individuals.
