As the 10th anniversary of the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision approaches, a new Gallup poll reveals a significant decline in Republican support for same-sex marriage, marking the third consecutive year of downward momentum within the party. The results come as a growing number of conservatives re-examine the cultural and moral implications of redefining marriage, once thought to be a settled issue.
Gallup’s data, released late May, shows that only 46% of Republicans now say they support same-sex marriage — a drop from 56% in 2021 and down from 59% in 2020. Meanwhile, national support remains relatively high at 68%, though the stark divergence between Republican and Democrat perspectives has reached a record 39-point gap, the widest in polling history.
The Christian Post also highlighted this trend, emphasizing that GOP support for gay marriage has declined each year since the Respect for Marriage Act passed in 2022. That federal legislation, signed by President Joe Biden, codified same-sex marriage into federal law, drawing criticism from faith-based groups and constitutional conservatives who saw it as federal overreach into matters traditionally reserved for the states.
The polling underscores a broader philosophical shift taking place among conservative voters who increasingly view the court’s 2015 decision as part of a larger erosion of traditional family values. Many Republicans are now questioning whether the party’s previous embrace of “big tent” inclusivity has sacrificed foundational moral principles in the name of political expediency.
“The conservative base is waking up to the reality that cultural compromise has not led to social stability,” said a conservative policy analyst who spoke under condition of anonymity. “Redefining marriage opened the door to a cascade of moral confusion, and now we’re witnessing the consequences.”
This reevaluation is also seen as a response to the aggressive post-Obergefell push for expanded LGBTQ+ rights, which has included legal battles over religious liberty, transgender issues, and parental rights in schools. For many Republicans, especially those with strong faith convictions, the normalization of same-sex marriage has become entangled with these broader cultural battles.
Social conservatives argue that the Gallup findings reflect a reassertion of traditional values at a time when the nation is increasingly divided over issues of morality and identity. “Marriage is more than a contract between consenting adults,” said a spokesperson from a national pro-family organization. “It’s a sacred institution designed for the flourishing of families and the stability of society.”
The party divide is now sharper than ever. While 83% of Democrats support same-sex marriage, just under half of Republicans do. Independents fall in between, at 74%, according to the same Gallup survey. This growing gap could have real implications for upcoming elections, particularly in Republican primaries where candidates often cater to more ideologically conservative voters.
Although the media and liberal advocacy groups often treat same-sex marriage as a settled cultural norm, recent polling reveals that support is far from unanimous, especially among faith-based communities. The drop in Republican support may also reflect a deeper frustration with the political class, including GOP lawmakers who voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which some saw as a betrayal of conservative values.
The Christian Post article also noted that this trend coincides with increasing support for religious liberty protections. Evangelical leaders argue that true tolerance includes the freedom to dissent, and that conscience rights must be preserved for churches, schools, and businesses that hold to a biblical understanding of marriage.
Additionally, the political shift comes at a time when many conservatives are advocating for a broader return to constitutional principles and limited federal power. Legal scholars have pointed out that the Obergefell ruling was based on a contested reading of the Fourteenth Amendment, raising ongoing concerns about judicial overreach.
The 10th anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges, which falls on June 26, will no doubt rekindle debate about the role of the courts, the meaning of marriage, and the direction of the country. For many in the Republican base, the decision still symbolizes a cultural turning point that departed from the nation’s moral compass.
As the conservative grassroots gains momentum in redefining the future of the GOP, the poll serves as a litmus test for candidates and lawmakers. Will they affirm timeless moral values, or continue to concede ground to cultural trends? Voters seem increasingly ready to challenge the compromises of the past.
With moral clarity becoming a rallying cry in a fractured culture, many Republicans see the decline in same-sex marriage support not as a retreat, but as a recommitment to principles rooted in faith, family, and constitutional fidelity.
Keywords: Republican support gay marriage 2025, Gallup poll Obergefell anniversary, GOP conservative values same-sex, Christian marriage views, declining LGBTQ support GOP, traditional marriage support Republicans
