Survey on the legalization of same-sex marriages in the U.S. 1996 to 2023

Published by Statista Research Department, Mar 3, 2025
This survey shows the opinion on legalization of same-sex marriages in the United States from 1996 to 2023. In 1996, 27 percent of respondents agreed that same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid with the same rights as traditional marriages. In 2023, 71 percent state that same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid, the highest share of the last decades.

Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by law as valid?

CharacteristicShare of respondents
2023 71%
2022 71%
2021 70%
2020 67%
2019 63%
2018 67%
2017 64%
2016 61%
2015 60%
2014 55%
2013 54%
2012 50%
2011 53%
Showing entries 1 to 13 (22 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of respondents27%27%35%35%42%42%37%37%42%42%46%46%40%40%40%40%44%44%53%53%50%50%54%54%55%55%60%60%61%61%64%64%67%67%63%63%67%67%70%70%71%71%71%71%1996199920042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
20%30%40%50%60%70%80%

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Release date

June 2023

Region

United States

Survey time period

1996 to 2023

Age group

18 years and older

Method of interview

Telephone interview

Supplementary notes

According to the source: "Trend shown for polls in which same-sex marriage question followed questions on gay/lesbian rights and relations."

Missing percentage points to 100 percent are due to share of respondents stating "no opinion".

The original question posed at the source was: "Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?"

1996 to 2006 wording: "Do you think marriages between homosexuals..."

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