WASHINGTON — Recent findings reveal that approximately 50% of American adults endorse President Donald Trump’s approach to transgender issues, a noticeable rise for a leader whose overall approval hovers around 40%. However, opinions on specific policies for transgender rights exhibit varying degrees of support, particularly when it pertains to young people’s issues.
A survey by the Public Affairs Research Center in collaboration with AP-NORC shows there is moderate support for allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military. In contrast, a significant portion of the population opposes letting transgender students use school bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity, as well as the use of government funding for gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youths.
Schuyler Fricchione, a mother from northern Virginia, opposes government-funded gender-affirming care for youths, concerned about possible future regrets. Despite her Catholic beliefs, she emphasizes the necessity of including transgender people in society, highlighting the importance of dignity and acceptance for all. “I’m still learning,” she commented, illustrating her evolving perspective.
Currently, two-thirds of U.S. adults believe, aligning with Trump’s views, that a person’s gender is defined by their birth characteristics. The survey notes that while Republican-leaning individuals largely hold this belief, Democrats are divided, with only about half supporting this view. This perspective, however, contradicts findings from the American Medical Association, which views gender identity as more diverse and non-binary.
The issue of transgender rights has been central to Trump’s political agenda, previously signing orders seeking to define gender rigidly, banning transgender service members, and influencing sports participation rules. These efforts face legal challenges, with courts often temporarily suspending them.
Public opinion reveals a mixed stance on certain transgender issues, with many Americans remaining neutral or undecided. Roughly 40% favored requiring teachers to inform parents about students identifying as transgender or nonbinary, another 30% opposed, with the rest neutral. Similarly, views on transgender military service personnel are split, with a significant portion maintaining neutrality.
Tim Phares, a Democrat from Kansas who often supports Republicans, exemplifies this complexity. He acknowledged the divided concerns, stating, “I’m not qualified to judge how it affects military readiness,” expressing personal uncertainty.
The U.S. Supreme Court has enabled the enforcement of Trump’s ban on transgender military personnel amid ongoing legal debates, reversing prior lower court decisions. Public sentiment shows resistance to government insurance programs covering gender-affirming care, particularly for minors, aligning with an executive order that restricts federal insurance plans from funding such care for people under nineteen.
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration recently advocated for therapy instead of comprehensive gender-affirming care for minors. Legal disputes surrounding state bans on these services are expected to reach the Supreme Court.
While Republicans show varied opinions, many Democrats tend to support transgender rights campaigns. Isabel Skinner, an Illinois politics professor and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, backs allowing transgender students to use bathrooms matching their gender identity, challenging recent bans in several states. She argues against the fear surrounding transgender individuals, noting a lack of real danger.
This information is based on an AP-NORC poll involving 1,175 adults conducted from May 1-5 and is representative of the U.S. The margin of error stands at plus or minus 4 percentage points for the overall population.