It’s complicated: The impact of marriage legalization among sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals in the United States.

Abstract

This mixed-methods study explored perceptions of the impact of marriage legalization in all U.S. states among sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals. Survey data were collected from a nonprobability sample of individuals 18 years or older who identified as lesbian, bisexual, queer, same-sex attracted, or something other than exclusively heterosexual-as well as individuals who identified as transgender or gender nonbinary (e.g., genderqueer, trans woman, trans man, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming). The analytic sample included 418 participants in an online survey who responded to open-ended questions about the perceived impact of marriage legalization. Qualitative analyses revealed perceptions of marriage legalization that situated individual meanings in the context of broader political and social factors. Four themes represented the complex perceptions of participants about marriage legalization: (a) establishing a victory in civil rights, social inclusion, and acceptance; (b) creating a paradox between positives of legalization and limitations of marriage as an institution; (c) amplifying concerns for unaddressed safety and rights issues; and (d) contributing to the erosion of queer identity and community. Quantitative analyses revealed several differences by demographic characteristics, such as greater concern about the erosion of community among unmarried participants compared to participants who were married. Findings underscore the importance of policies that advance equality for sexual and gender minorities (SGMs), as well as the importance of research exploring how policies are perceived by and impact SGM subpopulations. Public Significance StatementLegalization of marriage for same-sex couples in the United States was generally perceived by sexual and gender minorities (SGM) as a civil rights victory and marker of increased social inclusion and acceptance. At the same time, findings underscore remaining concerns such as inconsistent policy protections against discrimination, structural stigma and stigma from family and extended networks, and how centralizing marriage may undermine SGM community connectedness and appreciation for diverse relationship structures.

Perceived psychosocial impacts of legalized same-sex marriage: A scoping review of sexual minority adults’ experiences

“…The impact of equal marriage rights among sexual minority individuals may also be influenced by other social and political factors such as state-or regional-level social climate [50][51][52], or inconsistency among other policy protections against discrimination (e.g., in housing or public accommodations) [11,50]. Sociopolitical uncertainty may continue long after the right to marry is extended to same-sex couples [53,54].…”

“…Same-sex marriage also provides access to a wide range of tangible benefits and social opportunities associated with marriage [9,10]. Despite the benefits of marriage rights, sexual minorities continue to experience stigma-related stressors, such as rejection from family or community, and discrimination in employment and other life spheres [11]. In addition, reactions to samesex marriage appear to differ among sexual minorities and range from positive to ambivalent [11][12][13].…”

“…Despite the benefits of marriage rights, sexual minorities continue to experience stigma-related stressors, such as rejection from family or community, and discrimination in employment and other life spheres [11]. In addition, reactions to samesex marriage appear to differ among sexual minorities and range from positive to ambivalent [11][12][13]. Extending marriage rights to same-sex couples remedies only one form of structural stigma.…”

Investigating Differential Protective Effects of Marriage on Substance Use by Sexual Identity Status

“…At the same time, studies also document ambivalence or concerns about the potential unintended negative impacts on sexual minority communities and queer culture of centering marriage as an institution. For example, some sexual minority people are concerned that a focus on marriage rights over-emphasizes assimilation to heterosexual norms at the expense of broader community connections and social support for a wide range of relationship structures (Bosley-Smith & Reczek, 2018;Drabble, Wootton, et al, 2020;Lannutti, 2011b;Ocobock, 2018).…”

Why Doesn't the Decriminalisation of Same-Sex Sexuality and Sex Work Ensure Rights? The Legality and Social Acceptance of Transgressive Sexualities in Urban Mozambique

“…The long-standing institutionalisation of repressive norms which have tainted sex workers and lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI 1 ) people around the world makes the fulfilment of rights for these groups deeply challenging. Whilst a growing number of individual States have been repealing their criminal laws and extending certain rights (such as the right to marriage), LGBTI people and sex workers continue to face various degrees of social disapproval and/or legal regulation (Drabble et al, 2020;Smith & Mac, 2018). Moreover, there seems to be limited support for establishing a customary international law norm that would compel the still very sizable group of countries to remove references to same-sex sexual activity and sex work from their criminal laws and other laws or regulations used to intimidate or use force against LGBTI people and sex workers (Sable, 2010).…”