The Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University released the results of a poll taken on May 18 and 19, 2022. Often referred to as the Harvard/Harris poll, it measures sentiment on political and cultural issues every month. In May, pollsters found Americans are not buying into the atomized individuality of the gender identity movement and do not want people to be penalized for not going along.

Almost 60% of respondents believe children should be referred to by the pronoun matching their biological sex. The demographic breakdown of the results highlights the alignment between Republicans and independents and the urban/ non-urban divide. By affiliation, 77% of Republicans and 64% of independent voters want children called by the pronoun that matches their sex. Only 39% of Democrats agree. The majority of Americans who live in urban areas, 53%, believe people should use a child’s preferred pronoun. Approximately two-thirds of suburban and rural voters disagree.

An objection to the use of preferred gender pronouns hovers around 60% for men and women as well as parents and non-parents. When asked if allowing kids to pick their own pronouns was more likely to cause confusion for them or prevent discrimination, 60% feel it will confuse them. The only age group where a majority believe children should be able to pick their pronouns is 18-34. This cohort includes Gen Z where one in five adults report they identify as part of the LBGTQ community. At 20.8%, the LBGTQ identification rate for Gen Z is nearly double that for millennials and almost five times that of Gen X.