A new Economist/YouGov poll offers a sweeping look at how Americans view the nation’s political, economic, and social landscape heading into the final months of 2025. Conducted October 10-13 among 1,622 U.S. adults, the survey measured public opinion on issues including President Trump’s job performance, the economy, immigration and border enforcement, the Department of Justice, and debates over civil rights. The results offer a snapshot of how Americans are processing political leadership, economic uncertainty, and cultural division.
While much of the poll focused on political and economic questions, several findings addressed LGBTQ+ rights and diversity-related topics. The data show that most Americans oppose conversion therapy but remain divided or uncertain about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, signaling that cultural attitudes around identity and equality continue to evolve.
Fifty-nine percent of respondents said conversion therapy, the discredited practice that claims to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, should be illegal. Twenty percent said it should remain legal, and another 21 percent were unsure. A similar majority, 58 percent, said the practice does not work. Only 11 percent believe it can change someone’s orientation, while 32 percent were not sure.
Support for banning conversion therapy extended across most demographic groups. While partisan differences remain, the finding shows broad discomfort with a practice discredited by medical and mental health professionals. Major health organizations, including the American Psychological Association, have long warned that conversion efforts can cause lasting emotional harm.
When asked about DEI initiatives, opinions were more divided. Forty-four percent said programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion are mostly good, 28 percent said mostly bad, and another 28 percent were unsure. The near-even split points to uncertainty about what DEI programs entail and how they function in workplaces or educational institutions. Some respondents questioned whether such initiatives achieve fairness, while others said they remain essential for addressing systemic bias and improving representation.
Other sections of the poll highlight the deep political divides shaping the national mood. Thirty-six percent of respondents said they were confident in President Trump’s ability to handle an international crisis, while 53 percent said they were uneasy about his approach. Views on immigration enforcement, government spending, and the Justice Department continue to fall along partisan lines.
The poll was released as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a case that could determine whether states may continue enforcing bans on conversion therapy for minors. Advocacy organizations such as The Trevor Project warn that overturning those bans could endanger LGBTQ+ youth, who face higher rates of depression and suicide when exposed to conversion efforts.
Taken together, the Economist/YouGov findings show that Americans largely reject conversion therapy but remain conflicted about how equality and inclusion should be pursued. The results reflect a nation that supports personal freedom while continuing to debate what true equity looks like in policy and practice.
