New research questions the long-held belief that public backlash hinders policy gains for marginalized groups like gays and lesbians. This article examines backlash against gay rights using online experiments, natural studies on marriage equality, and large-sample survey data.

Key findings reveal no evidence of backlash from general public members or those predisposed to dislike LGBTQ individuals; nor do psychological traits predict backlash responses.

These results suggest that groups advocating for rights should view potential backlash as less significant than previously thought. The implications challenge conventional wisdom about political mobilization and the risks associated with advancing social policies.