Most Americans now believe gender is determined at birth, with 68% supporting traditional views as Trump administration policies gain approval in a shifting cultural landscape.
At a Glance
- 68% of Americans believe gender is determined by biological characteristics at birth, while only 31% think gender identity can differ from biology
- 66% oppose Medicare or Medicaid covering gender-affirming treatments for those under 19, and 53% oppose it for adults
- 55% of Americans oppose allowing transgender students to use bathrooms matching their gender identity
- 52% approve of Trump’s handling of transgender issues, higher than his overall performance rating
- The data suggests a broader cultural shift away from progressive gender ideology
Traditional Gender Views Gaining Momentum
A new Associated Press-NORC poll reveals a significant shift in American attitudes toward gender identity, with traditional viewpoints gaining traction during the Trump administration. The survey shows that 68% of Americans now believe gender is determined by biological characteristics at birth, while only 31% support the concept that gender identity can differ from one’s biological sex. This represents a continuing trend, as earlier polls indicated that 65% of Americans believe there are only two genders, up from 59% in 2021.
This perspective is particularly strong among Republicans, with 89% affirming that gender is fixed at birth. However, even among Democrats, there’s a notable division, with 54% accepting gender identity over biology – suggesting that progressive gender ideology doesn’t have unanimous support even within left-leaning groups.
Public Opposition to Gender-Affirming Healthcare Funding
The survey reveals strong opposition to using government healthcare funds for gender-affirming procedures. A substantial 66% of Americans oppose Medicare or Medicaid covering such treatments for individuals under 19 years of age. Even for adults over 19, a majority (53%) still opposes public funding for these procedures. These findings align with several Trump administration policy positions that have restricted federal funding for gender transition procedures.
Additionally, 43% of Americans favor requiring teachers to report to parents if children identify as transgender or nonbinary at school, reflecting concerns about parental rights in education. This sentiment is echoed in growing parental activism across the country regarding LGBTQ policies in schools.
“These are conversations that, if anyone is going to have with their kids, it should be the parents having with their kids.”, said Kyle Reyes.
Transgender Policies in Schools and Military Face Scrutiny
The poll indicates that 55% of Americans oppose allowing transgender students to use bathrooms matching their gender identity, a policy issue that has sparked numerous local controversies. Parents in multiple states have organized protests against school district policies on transgender accommodations, with incidents in Wisconsin and Vermont highlighting tensions over transgender students in school facilities. Several cases have resulted in legal actions, including the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty urging a federal investigation into potential civil rights violations.
On the issue of transgender individuals serving in the military, opinions remain divided. The survey found 37% supporting their right to serve, 26% opposing it, and 36% remaining neutral on the Trump administration’s military ban on transgender service members. This split suggests that Americans have more varied views on this aspect of transgender policy compared to other areas.
“Parents are starting to come out of the woodwork, and it’s time to start fighting back.”, added Reyes.
Trump’s Approach Garners Majority Support
Perhaps most notably, the survey found that 52% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of transgender issues, a figure higher than his overall performance approval ratings. This suggests that the administration’s policies in this area resonate with many Americans, even some who might not support all aspects of the president’s agenda. The poll results indicate that Trump’s approach to gender issues aligns with mainstream American values more closely than progressive gender ideology.
While the FBI has reported increases in hate crimes based on gender identity, with 227 incidents reported in 2019, critics note that incomplete reporting may affect these statistics. The Human Rights Campaign has criticized the current reporting system, pointing out that only a small fraction of law enforcement agencies submit complete data. Despite these concerns about violence, the overall polling suggests Americans are increasingly skeptical of progressive gender ideology while supporting more traditional frameworks.
