There is Little Support for Trans People According to LGBTQ+ Americans

Most adults in the U.S. identifying as LGBTQ+ say that social acceptance of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people have increased in recent years while the acceptance of transgender people have gone down, according to Pew Research Center polling data that was released this week.

Pew is a nonpartisan think tank that provides research information on social issues, public opinion, and demographic trends. The recent polling data comes from the American Trends Panel, which polled a total of 3,959 LGBTQ+ adults from January 8-19, 2025. Nearly two-thirds say that gay and lesbian people have “a great deal or a fair amount” of support in the U.S. while just over half say the same for bisexual people. 

Though most believe LGBTQ+ acceptance has increased in the last 10 years, 52% say there is “no support” or “not much” for trans people while 44% say the same for nonbinary folks. 

These ideas are reflected in trans respondents’ answers. The polling shows that trans people are significantly less likely than their cis peers to say all their parents, siblings, extended family members, or coworker are supportive of their identity, as reported by Them. Seventy percent feared for their personal safety some time in their life because of their identity with 44% saying they feared for their safety in the past 12 months.

Unsurprisingly, trans folks were more likely than cis respondents to believe LGBTQ+ support in the U.S. has decreased in the last 10 years. Majority groups in the LGBTQ+ community have reaped the benefits of queer progression in the U.S. while trans and other minority groups continue to be cast aside by both the community and those that oppose it. 

The legalization of same-gender marriage through the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges has made the U.S. “a lot” or “somewhat” more accepting of those relationships according to 67% of those polled. Many queer people feel like same-gender marriage was the ultimate goal and believe it has presented equality between them and heteronormative society. If the same amount of effort is put into combatting anti-trans legislation as was put into the fight for same-gender marriage, trans rights can have a similar day in court. 

“We do see majorities say they expect to see more acceptance for all the groups, including transgender people,” Rachel Minkin, lead author and a Pew research associate, tells the Bay Area Reporter. “It had been so long since Pew’s last survey with LGBTQ adults in 2013,” Minkin adds, “We wanted to know where things were today and kind of get at new questions and new understandings of LGBTQ adults and what are their experiences today.”

Changing public perception of queer minorities and gaining legal rights is possible, but it requires the majority groups within the LGBTQ+ community to not be complacent. Gays, lesbians, and cis folks must stand with our trans siblings. Same-gender marriage is not the ultimate goal. Freedom to publicly be ourselves, the creation of an equitable existence, and the elimination of discrimination for every letter under the LGBTQ+ umbrella is the goal.

Photos courtesy of DEPOS