A recent Pew Research Center poll has revealed a stark reality for many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other gender-diverse (LGBTQ+) adults in the United States: a significant portion feel unaccepted in society, particularly transgender and nonbinary individuals. This finding, released on May 30, 2025, underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and has sparked renewed calls for stronger legal protections to ensure equality and safety. As the nation grapples with evolving attitudes and policies, the poll highlights both progress and setbacks in the fight for acceptance, making it a critical moment for advocacy.
The Pew Research Center survey, conducted in January 2025 with 3,959 LGBTQ+ adults, paints a complex picture of social acceptance in the U.S. Approximately 61% of respondents said there is “a great deal” or “a fair amount” of acceptance for gay and lesbian individuals, and 52% said the same for bisexual people. However, acceptance drops significantly for nonbinary and transgender individuals, with only 14% and 13% of respondents, respectively, reporting similar levels of social acceptance. About half of the participants noted that transgender people face “not much” or no acceptance at all in society.
This disparity is particularly striking when compared to a decade ago. The poll found that 82% of LGBTQ+ adults believe acceptance for gay and lesbian people has increased since 2015, largely attributing this to the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Yet, for transgender and nonbinary individuals, progress feels limited. Many respondents expressed that societal acceptance for these groups has lagged, with some pointing to recent policy changes as evidence of growing hostility.
The numbers tell only part of the story. For many LGBTQ+ individuals, the lack of acceptance translates into real-world challenges. The survey revealed that transgender people are less likely than their gay, lesbian, or bisexual counterparts to feel accepted by family members. Only about one-third of transgender respondents said their parents fully accept them, compared to roughly half of gay and lesbian respondents. Extended family acceptance is even lower, with just one in 10 transgender individuals reporting full support.
Aubrey Campos, a 41-year-old transgender woman who runs a taco truck in Fort Worth, Texas, shared her experience with Pew researchers. Coming out at age 12, Campos was fortunate to have supportive parents, but she notes that many younger transgender individuals she works with face rejection, with some even being kicked out of their homes. “Now the times are a little bit dark,” she said, reflecting on the current climate for transgender youth.
Similarly, Santiago, a transgender man who runs a nonprofit supporting transgender youth, highlighted the fear many in his community face. While he feels safe in his personal life, he acknowledges that most transgender individuals have feared for their safety at some point. These personal stories underscore the poll’s findings and highlight the urgent need for protections that ensure safety and equality.
The poll’s release comes at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under scrutiny. Since the start of 2025, several policy changes have targeted transgender and nonbinary individuals specifically. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order asserting that gender should be recognized solely as male or female based on biological sex at birth. This move, along with others like restrictions on gender-affirming care for those under 19 and bans on transgender individuals in certain sports, has heightened concerns within the community.
These policies have fueled advocacy efforts across the country. Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and GLAAD are amplifying calls for nondiscrimination laws and protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations. HRC President Kelley Robinson emphasized the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community, stating, “There are way too many of us to be ignored, and the politicians who think they can turn back the clock on LGBTQ+ acceptance will fail.” https://www.hrc.org
GLAAD, a nonprofit focused on advancing LGBTQ+ acceptance through media representation, has also been proactive. Their recent initiatives include campaigns to improve coverage of transgender issues and monitor political actions affecting the community. https://glaad.org These efforts reflect a broader push to counter negative narratives and advocate for inclusive policies.
The Pew poll also highlights significant generational differences in how acceptance is perceived. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z (ages 18-26), are far more likely to identify as LGBTQ+, with 20% of Gen Z adults reporting a non-heterosexual identity, according to a 2024 Gallup poll. Bisexuality is the most common identity within this group, especially among young women, with nearly one-quarter identifying as bisexual. https://news.gallup.com
This generational shift is reshaping the landscape of advocacy. Younger LGBTQ+ adults are more vocal about their identities and experiences, often using platforms like social media to connect and advocate. The poll suggests that increased visibility, coupled with events like Pride marches and media representation, has contributed to greater acceptance of gay and lesbian individuals. However, the same visibility has not yet translated into equal acceptance for transgender and nonbinary people, prompting advocates to focus on these communities specifically.
The survey’s findings point to a critical link between policy and societal attitudes. While the 2015 Obergefell decision marked a turning point for same-sex marriage, with 68% of LGBTQ+ adults saying it increased acceptance of same-sex couples, recent rollbacks in transgender rights have had the opposite effect. The Pew poll noted that 79% of respondents believe transgender individuals face at least some discrimination, a sentiment echoed in other surveys, such as one by KFF in 2020, which found strong public support for laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in employment and healthcare.
Advocates argue that federal and state-level protections are essential to fostering acceptance. Nondiscrimination laws, which protect against discrimination in jobs, housing, and public accommodations, enjoy broad support, with over 70% of Americans in red, blue, and battleground states favoring such measures, according to PRRI’s 2023 American Values Atlas. Yet, support for these laws has slightly declined since 2015, a trend some attribute to polarized political rhetoric and policies targeting transgender rights.
Despite the challenges, the Pew poll offers glimmers of hope. Majorities of LGBTQ+ adults expect acceptance to increase for all groups—gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary—over the next decade. This optimism is tempered by the reality of ongoing discrimination and policy setbacks. For many, the fight for acceptance is deeply personal, tied to their ability to live authentically without fear of rejection or harm.
Advocacy groups are doubling down on efforts to educate the public and push for legislative change. Campaigns like GLAAD’s storytelling initiatives aim to humanize transgender experiences, while organizations like HRC are mobilizing voters to support candidates who champion equality. Community organizers like Campos and Santiago are also working at the grassroots level, providing support and safe spaces for those most affected by societal rejection.
The Pew Research Center’s findings serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, advocates, and communities across the U.S. While progress has been made in accepting gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals, transgender and nonbinary people continue to face significant barriers. The poll underscores the need for comprehensive protections that ensure all LGBTQ+ individuals can live free from discrimination and fear.
As the nation moves forward, the voices of LGBTQ+ adults, amplified by advocates and allies, will be crucial in shaping a more inclusive future. By supporting policies that protect against discrimination and fostering open, empathetic dialogue, Americans can help bridge the gap between acceptance and reality for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.
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