Support for same-sex “marriage” seems to be decreasing, which is causing some concern among liberal circles.
James Kirchick, a gay liberal and contributor to the Atlantic, discussed on “Real Time with Bill Maher” that this decline in popularity might stem from years of what he termed “LGBT extremism.”
‘I think, honestly, the trend of gay men purchasing babies has not helped the situation.’
A lesbian bar in Massachusetts recently made headlines when it became a target of backlash after its owners decided to lift the mask mandate for just one night each week.
Maher pointed to this incident as an indication of intolerance within the left. Kirchick argued that this situation showcased the growing rift between gay and lesbian individuals and those who identify as queer.
“Being gay or lesbian is just about sexual orientation. That’s pretty straightforward,” Kirchick remarked. “But being ‘queer’ involves embracing a particular political stance. Interestingly, there are even straight individuals who identify as queer, which shifts the focus towards deconstructing gender norms, as seen in the case of a lesbian using ‘he/him’ pronouns at that bar.”
He also cited California state senator Scott Wiener’s fallout from the queer community after he faced criticism for his moderate stance on Israel. When he attempted to participate in the Trans March, he was rebuffed with the comment that he ceased to be queer once he began supporting Israel.
Kirchick mentioned a survey from two years ago regarding the LGBTQ+ community’s identity. “About 15% identify as lesbians, 21% as gay, and a significant 56% as bisexual,” he noted. “Curiously, only 0.5% identify as queer.”
He added, “Why are we allowing this tiny fraction of the community to speak for everyone?”
Kirchick expressed concern that the current “queer” and trans activism is affecting public attitudes, noting a decline in support for same-sex marriage.
A Gallup poll from May confirmed this, showing a six-point drop in support from a peak in 2022.
At the height of support, 71% of adults in the U.S. backed same-sex marriage, but that number slipped to 69% in 2024. Acceptance of gay or lesbian relationships has similarly dipped from 71% to 62% over the same period.
This change appears especially pronounced among Republicans, whose support for same-sex marriage plummeted from 55% to just 37% in recent years.
Kirchick speculated that this reduction in support could be linked to a backlash against radical queer activism, something that genuinely concerns him.
Katy Faust, leader of the children’s advocacy group Them Before Us, echoed Kirchick’s sentiment, saying, “The queer movement has tainted the water. Also, purchasing babies has likely not helped your cause.”
Among those sharing Kirchick’s apprehensions is Andrew Sullivan, an LGBT activist, who commented that the Democratic party is increasingly dominated by radical queer voices. He reflected on the recent Gallup findings with concern about how this might impact support for gay rights, especially in conservative states.
Furthermore, the Log Cabin Republicans recently decided to exclude the “T” from their advocacy, acknowledging the reputational harm caused by radical transgender activists to their community.
Ross Hemminger, president of the Log Cabin Republicans, suggested that dwindling support for same-sex marriage stems from the negative perception many voters have of the gay community, which is now heavily influenced by radical transgender activists focused on youth issues.
