LGBTQ+ Rights

Next, we have a question about policies for competitive sports that have separate teams for male and female athletes. Do you think transgender athletes -- [ROTATED: should be able to play on sports teams that match their current gender identity (or) should only be allowed to play on sports teams that match their birth gender]?

	Current gender identity	Only birth gender	No opinion
	%	%	%
2023 May 1-24	26	69	5
2021 May 3-18	34	62	4
Gallup

Do you have any friends or relatives or coworkers who have told you, personally, that they are transgender?

	Yes	No	No opinion
	%	%	%
2023 May 1-24	39	60	*
2021 May 3-18	31	69	*
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Do you favor or oppose allowing openly transgender men and women to serve in the military?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2021 May 3-18	66	33	1
2019 May 15-30	71	26	2
Gallup

Do you think gay or lesbian relations between consenting adults should or should not be legal?

	Should be legal	Should not be legal	No opinion
	%	%	%
2021 May 3-18 ^	79	18	2
2020 May 1-13	72	24	3
2019 May 1-12	73	26	2
2018 May 1-10	75	23	2
2017 May 3-7	72	23	5
2016 May 4-8	68	28	4
2015 Jul 8-12	68	28	4
2015 May 6-10	69	28	4
2014 May 8-11	66	30	4
2013 Jul 10-14	64	31	5
2013 May 2-7	65	31	5
2012 Nov 26-29	64	33	3
2012 May 3-6	63	31	6
2011 Dec 15-18	62	33	5
2011 May 5-8	64	32	4
2010 May 3-6	58	36	6
2009 May 7-10	56	40	4
2008 May 8-11 ^	55	40	5
2007 May 10-13	59	37	4
2006 May 8-11 †	56	40	4
2005 Aug 22-25	49	44	7
2005 May 2-5	52	43	5
2004 May 2-4	52	43	5
2004 Jan 9-11	46	49	5
2003 Jul 25-27	48	46	6
2003 Jul 18-20	50	44	6
2003 May 19-21	59	37	4
2003 May 5-7	60	35	5
2002 May 6-9	52	43	5
2001 May 10-14	54	42	4
1999 Feb 8-9	50	43	7
1996 Nov 21-24	44	47	9
1992 Jun 4-8	48	44	8
1988 Jul 1-7	35	56	9
1987 Mar 14-18	33	55	12
1986 Sep 13-17	33	54	13
1986 Jul 11-14	32	57	11
When asked after question on equal job opportunities
2019 May 15-30	83	15	2
1989 Oct 12-15	47	36	17
1985 Nov 11-18	44	47	9
1982 Jun 25-28	45	39	16
1977 Jun 17-20	43	43	14
^ Asked of a half sample; 1977-2008 wording: Do you think homosexual relations between consenting adults should or should not be legal?
Gallup

(Asked of those dissatisfied with acceptance of gays and lesbians in U.S.) Would you like to see gays and lesbians be more widely accepted in this nation, less widely accepted, or is the acceptance of gays and lesbians in this nation today about right?

Combined responses: Satisfaction with acceptance + follow-up of those dissatisfied

	Total satisfied	Dissatisfied, want greater	Dissatisfied, want less	Dissatisfied, about right	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2020	56	23	8	9	5
2018	56	23	8	7	6
2017	59	19	8	9	6
2016	60	10	13	11	6
2015	53	16	14	10	8
2014	53	14	16	10	8
2013	49	13	21	11	6
2012	41	19	23	9	8
2008	38	21	22	9	10
2007	34	22	27	9	8
2006	32	20	30	10	9
2005	32	19	28	13	8
2004	39	14	30	12	5
2003	37	17	25	13	8
2002	40	15	27	11	6
2001	35	16	26	15	8
Gallup

What is your impression of how most Americans feel about same-sex marriage -- do you think most Americans are in favor of same-sex marriage or opposed to same-sex marriage?

	In favor of	Opposed to	No opinion
	%	%	%
2020 May 1-13	48	49	3
2015 May 6-10	42	53	6
2013 May 2-7	30	63	7
2012 Nov 26-29	30	61	9
Gallup

As you may know, there has been considerable discussion in the news regarding the rights of gay men and lesbian women. In general, do you think gays or lesbians should or should not have equal rights as non-gays or non-lesbians in terms of job opportunities?

	Yes, should	No, should not	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2019 May 15-30	93	5	1	1
2008 May 8-11	89	8	1	1
2007 May 10-13	89	8	1	2
2006 May 8-11	89	9	1	1
2005 May 2-5	87	11	1	1
2004 May 2-4	89	8	1	2
2003 May 19-21	88	10	1	1
2003 May 5-7	88	9	2	1
2002 May 6-9	86	11	1	2
2001 May 10-14	85	11	3	1
1999 Feb 8-9	83	13	2	2
1996 Nov 21-24	84	12	2	2
1993 Apr 22-24	80	14	--	6
1992 Jun 4-7	74	18	--	8
1989 Oct 12-15	71	18	--	11
1982 Jun 25-28	59	28	--	13
1977 Jun 17-20	56	33	--	11
(vol.)=volunteered response ^1977-2008 wording: As you may know, there has been considerable discussion in the news regarding the rights of homosexual men and women. In general, do you think homosexuals should or should not have equal rights in terms of job opportunities?
Gallup

Do you think gays or lesbians should or should not be hired for each of the following occupations? First, ... Next, ... [RANDOM ORDER]?

	Yes, should	No, should not	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Salesperson
2019 May 15-30	95	4	*	*
2005 May 2-5	93	4	1	2
2005 May 2-5 ^	90	7	1	2
2003 May 19-21 ^	92	6	1	1
2001 May 10-14 ^	91	6	2	1
1999 Feb 8-9 ^	90	8	1	1
1996 Nov 21-24 ^	90	7	1	2
1992 Jun 4-8 ^	82	13	3	2
1987 Mar 14-18 ^	72	20	--	8
1985 Nov 11-18 ^	71	22	--	7
1982 Jun 25-28 ^	70	18	--	12
1977 Jun 17-20 ^	68	22	--	10
The armed forces
2019 May 15-30	83	16	*	1
2005 May 2-5	79	19	*	2
2005 May 2-5 ^	76	22	1	1
2003 May 19-21 ^	80	18	1	1
2001 May 10-14 ^	72	23	2	3
1999 Feb 8-9 ^	70	26	2	2
1996 Nov 21-24 ^	65	29	3	3
1992 Jun 4-8 ^	57	37	2	4
1989 Oct 12-15 ^	60	29	--	11
1987 Mar 14-18 ^	55	37	--	8
1985 Nov 11-18 ^	55	38	--	7
1982 Jun 25-28 ^	52	36	--	12
1977 Jun 17-20 ^	51	38	--	11
Doctors
2019 May 15-30	91	8	*	1
2005 May 2-5	81	15	2	2
2005 May 2-5 ^	78	19	1	2
2003 May 19-21 ^	82	16	1	1
2001 May 10-14 ^	78	18	2	2
1999 Feb 8-9 ^	75	21	2	2
1996 Nov 21-24 ^	69	25	3	3
1992 Jun 4-8 ^	53	42	2	3
1989 Oct 12-15 ^	56	32	--	12
1987 Mar 14-18 ^	49	42	--	9
1985 Nov 11-18 ^	52	41	--	7
1982 Jun 25-28 ^	50	38	--	12
1977 Jun 17-20 ^	44	44	--	12
Clergy
2019 May 15-30	72	23	1	3
2005 May 2-5	53	42	1	4
2005 May 2-5 ^	49	47	1	3
2003 May 19-21 ^	56	39	2	3
2001 May 10-14 ^	54	39	2	5
1999 Feb 8-9 ^	54	40	2	4
1996 Nov 21-24 ^	53	40	3	4
1992 Jun 4-8 ^	43	50	2	5
1989 Oct 12-15 ^	44	43	--	13
1987 Mar 14-18 ^	42	51	--	7
1985 Nov 11-18 ^	41	53	--	6
1982 Jun 25-28 ^	38	51	--	11
1977 Jun 17-20 ^	36	54	--	11
Elementary school teachers
2019 May 15-30	81	18	*	*
2005 May 2-5	64	34	1	1
2005 May 2-5 ^	54	43	2	1
2003 May 19-21 ^	61	37	2	*
2001 May 10-14 ^	56	40	3	1
1999 Feb 8-9 ^	54	42	2	2
1996 Nov 21-24 ^	55	40	3	2
1992 Jun 4-8 ^	41	54	3	2
1989 Oct 12-15 ^	42	48	--	10
1987 Mar 14-18 ^	33	60	--	7
1985 Nov 11-18 ^	36	60	--	4
1982 Jun 25-28 ^	32	59	--	9
1977 Jun 17-20 ^	27	65	--	8
High school teachers
2019 May 15-30	83	15	1	1
2005 May 2-5	71	27	1	1
2005 May 2-5 ^	62	36	1	1
2003 May 19-21 ^	67	30	2	1
2001 May 10-14 ^	63	33	3	1
1999 Feb 8-9 ^	61	36	2	1
1996 Nov 21-24 ^	60	34	3	3
1992 Jun 4-8 ^	47	49	2	2
1989 Oct 12-15 ^	47	43	--	10
A member of the president's cabinet
2019 May 15-30	88	11	1	1
2005 May 2-5	78	20	1	1
2005 May 2-5 ^	75	23	*	2
2003 May 19-21 ^	79	19	*	2
2001 May 10-14 ^	75	21	2	2
1999 Feb 8-9 ^	74	23	1	2
1996 Nov 21-24 ^	71	24	2	3
1992 Jun 4-8 ^	54	39	3	4
* Less than 0.5%; (vol.)=volunteered response ^WORDING: "Do you think homosexuals should be hired....?"
Gallup

In your view, is being gay or lesbian something a person is born with, or due to factors such as upbringing and environment?

	Born with	Environment	Both (vol.)	Neither (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2019 May 15-30	49	32	11	2	6
2018 May 1-10	50	30	10	4	6
2016 May 4-8	46	33	12	2	8
2015 May 6-10	51	30	8	4	8
2014 May 8-11	42	37	9	4	8
2013 May 2-7	47	33	9	3	8
2012 Nov 26-29	45	36	10	2	7
2012 May 3-6	40	35	11	4	10
2011 May 5-8	40	42	6	3	9
2010 May 3-6	36	37	12	3	12
2009 May 7-10	35	42	12	2	9
2008 May 8-11 ^	41	38	9	2	9
2007 May 10-13	42	35	11	2	9
2006 May 8-11	42	37	11	2	8
2005 May 2-5	38	44	10	2	6
2004 May 2-4	37	41	11	3	8
2003 May 5-7	38	44	11	2	5
2002 May 6-9	40	36	12	4	8
2001 May 10-14	40	39	9	3	9
1999 Feb 8-9	34	44	13	1	8
1996 Nov 21-24	31	40	13	3	13
1989 Oct 12-15	19	48	12	2	19
1982 Jun 25-28	17	52	13	2	16
1977 Jun 17-20	13	56	14	3	15
^ Asked of a half sample; (vol.) = Volunteered response; 1977-2008 wording: "In your view, is homosexuality...."
Gallup

Just your best guess, what percent of Americans today would you say are gay or lesbian?

	2019 May 15-30	2015 May 6-10	2011 May 5-8
	%	%	%
Less than 5%	8	9	4
5%-less than 10%	9	11	9
10%-less than 15%	14	14	17
15%-less than 20%	10	7	9
20%-25%	19	20	17
More than 25%	35	33	35
No opinion	6	6	8
Mean	23.6	23.2	24.6
Median	20	20	20
Gallup

Do you think gays and lesbians should or should not be allowed to adopt children?

	Yes, should	No, should not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019 May 15-30	75	23	2
2014 May 8-11	63	35	2
2003 May 5-7 ^	49	48	3
1977 Jun 17-20	14	77	9
^ Asked of a half sample; 2014 WORDING: Do you think same-sex couples should or should not have the legal right to adopt a child? 2003 WORDING: Do you think homosexual couples should or should not have the legal right to adopt a child? 1977 WORDING: Do you think homosexuals should or should not be allowed to adopt children?
Gallup

What is your impression of how most Americans feel about gay or lesbian relations -- do most Americans think they are acceptable or not acceptable?

	Acceptable	Not acceptable	Other (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2019 May 15-30	55	41	2	2
2001 May 10-14	21	74	1	4
2001 WORDING: What is your impression of how most American feel about homosexual behavior?
Gallup

Do you think new civil rights laws are needed to reduce discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people, or not?

	Yes, new laws needed	No, not needed	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019 May 15-30	53	46	1
2017 May 3-7	51	46	3
Gallup

In terms of policies governing public restrooms, do you think these policies should -- [ROTATED: require transgender individuals to use the restroom that corresponds with their birth gender (or should these policies) allow transgender individuals to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity]?

	Birth gender	Gender identity	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019 May 15-30	51	44	5
2017 May 3-7	48	45	7
2016 May 4-8	50	40	10
Gallup

Thinking about how the gay marriage issue might affect your vote for major offices, would you -- [ROTATED: only vote for a candidate who shares your views on gay marriage, consider a candidate's position on gay marriage as just one of many important factors when voting, or would you not see gay marriage as a major issue?

	Candidate must share views	One of many important factors	Not a major issue	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Registered voters
2016 May 4-8	23	46	29	2
2015 May 6-10	26	46	26	2
2008 May 8-11	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
2004 May 2-4	16	47	35	2
National adults
2016 May 4-8	23	44	30	3
2015 May 6-10	26	43	26	4
2008 May 8-11	16	49	33	2
2004 May 2-4	16	46	35	3
Gallup

Do you think issues concerning gays and lesbians will always divide Americans, or do you think Americans will generally agree on those issues at some point in the future?

	Will always divide	Will agree at some point	No opinion
	%	%	%
2015 May 6-10	38	59	3
2012 Nov 26-29	45	51	4
Gallup

Just your best guess, do you think that allowing two people of the same sex to legally marry will change our society for -- [ROTATED: the better, will it have no effect or will it change our society for the worse]?

	Better	No effect	Worse	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2013 May 2-7	19	40	39	2
2009 May 7-10	13	36	48	2
2003 Sep 19-21	10	40	48	2
Gallup

Now I'd like you to think about how your attitudes toward gays and lesbians might have changed in the past few years. Have you become -- [ROTATED: more accepting of gays and lesbians, have your attitudes not changed, or have you become less accepting of gays and lesbians]?

	More accepting	No change	Less accepting	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2013 May 2-7	36	57	7	1
2003 Jul 18-20	32	59	8	1
Gallup

Do you have any friends or relatives or coworkers who have told you, personally, that they are gay or lesbian?

	Yes	No	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 May 2-7	75	25	*
2009 May 7-10	58	40	3
2008 May 30-Jun 1	57	42	1
2004 Jan 9-11	58	42	*
2003 Jul 18-20	56	43	1
1998 Jul 17-19 ^	37	62	1
1985 Dec 5-12 #	24	75	1
* Less than 0.5%; ^ Harris poll; # Los Angeles Times poll
Gallup

What are some of the reasons why you favor legal same-sex marriages? [OPEN-ENDED]

Based on adults who favor same-sex marriage

	Nov 26-29, 2012
	%
Equal rights/Everyone should have same rights, freedoms	32
Personal choice/Love, happiness matters, not sexual orientation	32
Not my business/Not government's business to decide	14
Have friends/family who are gay/lesbian	9
Everyone is equal in God's eyes	5
Born that way	4
Medical, insurance, financial purposes	3
Need to separate state and church	2
Other	5
No opinion	5
Gallup

What are some of the reasons why you oppose legal same-sex marriages? [OPEN-ENDED]

Based on adults who oppose same-sex marriage

	Nov 26-29, 2012
	%
Religion/Bible says it is wrong	47
Marriage should be between a man and woman	20
Morally wrong/Have traditional beliefs	16
Civil unions are sufficient	6
Unnatural/Against laws of nature	5
Undermines traditional family structure/Mother and father	5
Other	7
No opinion	4
Gallup

Thinking back, would you say your views on same-sex marriage have or have not changed significantly over the course of your lifetime?

	Yes, have changed	No, have not changed	No opinion
	%	%	%
2012 Nov 26-29	36	63	1
Gallup

In what ways have your views on same-sex marriage changed? [OPEN-ENDED]

Based on those whose views on same-sex marriage have changed

	2012 Nov 26-29
	%
More accepting/tolerant now	35
More awareness/educated/Didn't understand before	18
Changed mind (nonspecific)	9
Not as big a deal now as in past	9
I'm against it/Not right	8
Believe they deserve a civil union but not marriage	5
Not my business/Respect their wishes/Don't care	5
Legal now in some places	4
Have friends/family that are gay	3
Other	3
No opinion	7
Gallup

Do you think there should or should not be -- Adoption rights for gays and lesbians so they can legally adopt children?

	Yes, should be	No, should not be	No opinion
	%	%	%
2012 Nov 26-29	61	36	3
2009 May 7-10	54	44	2
Gallup

Do you think there should or should not be -- Health insurance and other employee benefits for gay and lesbian domestic partners or spouses?

	Yes, should be	No, should not be	No opinion
	%	%	%
2012 Nov 26-29	77	20	3
2009 May 7-10	67	30	2
Gallup

Do you think there should or should not be -- Inheritance rights for gay and lesbian domestic partners or spouses?

	Yes, should be	No, should not be	No opinion
	%	%	%
2012 Nov 26-29	78	18	4
2009 May 7-10	73	24	4
Gallup

How serious a problem do you think discrimination against gays and lesbians is in this country -- a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, not too serious or not at all serious?

	Very serious	Somewhat serious	Not too serious	Not at all serious	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2012 Nov 26-29	23	40	26	9	2
Gallup

Do you have a family member, friend, coworker or personal acquaintance who you know is gay, or not?

	Yes	No	No opinion
	%	%	%
2012 Nov 26-29	78	22	*
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Do you favor or oppose allowing openly gay men and lesbian women to serve in the military?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2010 May 3-6	70	25	5
2009 May 7-10	69	26	6
2004 Nov 19-21	63	32	5
Gallup

As you may know, federal law currently allows prosecution of hate crimes committed on the basis of the victim's race, color, religion or national origin. There is a proposal to expand federal hate crime laws to include crimes committed against people because they are gay or lesbian. Would you favor or oppose expanding the federal hate crime laws in this way?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2009 May 7-10	67	29	3
Gallup

Are you, personally, comfortable or uncomfortable when you are around someone you know is gay or lesbian?

	Comfortable	Uncomfortable	No opinion
	%	%	%
2009 May 7-10	78	18	4
Gallup

Would you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as being between a man and a woman, thus barring marriages between gay or lesbian couples?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2008 May 8-11^	49	48	3
2006 May 8-11	50	47	3
2005 Apr 29-May 1	53	44	3
2005 Mar 18-20	57	37	6
2004 Jul 19-21 ^	48	46	6
2004 May 2-4	51	45	4
2004 Mar 5-7	50	45	5
2004 Feb 9-12	53	44	3
2004 Feb 6-8 ^	47	47	6
2003 Jul 18-20	50	45	5
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Do you feel that homosexuality should be considered an acceptable alternative lifestyle or not?

	Acceptable	Not acceptable	No opinion
	%	%	%
2008 May 8-11	57	40	3
2007 May 10-13	57	39	3
2006 May 8-11 ^	54	41	4
2005 May 2-5 ^	51	45	4
2004 May 2-4	54	42	4
2003 Jul 25-27	46	49	5
2003 May 5-7	54	43	3
2002 May 6-9	51	44	5
2001 May 10-14	52	43	5
1999 Feb 8-9 ^	50	46	4
1997 Apr 18-20 ^	42	52	6
1996 Mar 15-17 ^	44	50	6
1992 Jun 4-8	38	57	5
1982 Jun 25-28	34	51	15
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

As you may know, under the current military policy, no one in the military is asked whether or not they are gay. But if they reveal that they are gay or they engage in homosexual activity, they will be discharged from the military. Do you personally think -- [ROTATED: gays should be allowed to serve openly in the military, gays should be allowed to serve under the current policy or gays should not be allowed to serve in the military under any circumstances]?

	Serve openly	Serve under current policy	Not serve at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2007 Jul 6-8	46	36	15	3
2000 Jan 13-16	41	38	17	4
Gallup

Which of the following arrangements between gay or lesbian couples do you think should be recognized as legally valid -- same-sex marriages, civil unions, but not same-sex marriages, or neither same-sex marriages nor civil unions?

	Same-sex marriages	Civil unions	Neither	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2005 Mar 18-20 ^	20	27	45	8
2004 Nov 19-21	21	32	43	4
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Would you favor or oppose a law that would allow homosexual couples to legally form civil unions, giving them some of the legal rights of married couples?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2004 May 2-4	49	48	3
2003 Jul 25-27	40	57	3
2003 May 5-7	49	49	2
2002 May 6-9	46	51	3
2002 Apr 8-11	45	46	9
2002 Feb 8-10	41	53	6
2001 May 10-14	44	52	4
2000 Oct 25-28 ^	42	54	4
Gallup

Do you think people who are openly gay or homosexual should -- or should not -- be allowed to serve in the U.S. military?

	Yes, should	No, should not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2003 Dec 5-7	79	18	3
Gallup

LGBTQ+ Rights

Related Topics Include:

The Five Conditions Assessment

Recommended

Openly Transgender Troops Backed by Reduced Majority in U.S.

Americans' State of the Nation Ratings Remain at Record Low

LGBTQ+ Adults Are Coming Out at Younger Ages Than in the Past

LGBTQ+ Identification in U.S. Rises to 9.3%