Legal Status Makes Same-Sex Relationships Last Longer

Newswise — Five years after Vermont allowed civil unions, the first study to examine the experience has found that legalized same-sex couple relationships appear to be longer-lasting than those without a legal status. The study, conducted by Kimberly F. Balsam and Theodore P. Beauchaine of the University of Washington, Esther D. Rothblum of San Diego State University, and Sondra E. Solomon of the University of Vermont, was published in Developmental Psychology (Vol. 44 No. 1, January, 2008).

"There are many ways that a legal couple status may support a relationship " more family understanding, acceptance by friends and co-workers, greater commitment that results from a public declaration, and enhanced legal protections in the form of healthcare benefits and community property," said Robert-Jay Green, executive director of the Rockway Institute, a national center for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender research, education and public policy at Alliant International University in San Francisco. "The results of this first study on the topic suggest that same-sex partners who legalized their relationships in Vermont may have been more committed to each other or functioning better prior to obtaining a civil union—or that civil union status itself is helping to preserve their relationships . Future research will help clarify whether various legal statuses actually increase the likelihood that lesbian and gay couples stay together. " said Green.

The Vermont study followed-up on a 2002 project that was the first to focus on legalized relationships of same-sex couples in the U.S., following establishment of civil unions in Vermont in 2000. Sixty-five male and 138 female couples who entered into civil unions during the first year they were available were asked to provide information. They were compared to 23 male and 61 female couples not in civil unions and 55 heterosexual married couples who were related to the same-sex couples in civil unions.

Same-sex couples not in civil unions were more likely to have ended their relationship than same-sex couples in civil unions or heterosexual married couples in the study. This finding supports earlier research by Lawrence Kurdek at Wright State University and by Green, Bettinger, and Zacks at Alliant International University that compared same-sex unmarried and heterosexual married couples and found marriage was linked to longer lasting relationships.

In the Vermont follow-up study sample, same-sex couples not in civil unions ended 9.3 percent of their relationships whereas only 3.8 percent of same-sex couples in a civil union ended their relationships. Heterosexual married couples ended 2.7 percent of their relationships. The difference between the percentages of break-ups for same-sex civil union couples and heterosexual married couples were not statistically significant, thus demonstrating that legalized same-sex and heterosexual couples lasted longer than non-legalized same-sex couples.

The study questioned all of the couples about relationship conflict, relationship satisfaction, commitment, intimacy and equality. Interestingly, Balsam, Rothblum, and Solomon found that same-sex couples reported more positive relationship quality and less conflict than heterosexual married couples on several dimensions.

"In contrast to old myths about same-sex couples being deficient or less viable than male-female couples , this research project shows that same-sex partners who seek to legalize their relationships actually may be among the best functioning couples in this society," said Green.

Contacts:

"¢ The lead researcher, Kimberly Balsam, PhD, at [email protected] or 206-459-1860."¢ Executive Director of the Rockway Institute, Robert-Jay Green PhD, at [email protected] or 415-955-2121. "¢ To receive a copy of the original article, or for assistance reaching Dr. Balsam or Dr. Green, contact Rick Moore, [email protected] or 415-314-8952. Article citation: "Three-year follow-up of same-sex couples who had civil unions in Vermont, same-sex couples not in civil unions, and heterosexual married siblings," Kimberly F. Balsam and Theodore P. Beauchaine, University of Washington; Esther D. Rothblum, San Diego State University; and Sondra E. Solomon, University of Vermont, in Developmental Psychology (Vol. 44 No. 1, January, 2008). About Rockway Institute: The nonpartisan Rockway Institute promotes scientific and professional expertise to counter antigay prejudice and improve public policies affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. The Institute's view is that public opinion, policies, and programs should be shaped by the facts about LGBT lives, not by political ideology. A primary goal is to organize the most knowledgeable social scientists, mental health professionals, and physicians in the United States to provide accurate information about LGBT issues to the media, legislatures, and the courts. The Institute also conducts targeted research projects to address the nation's most pressing LGBT public policy concerns.

Website: http://www.RockwayInstitute.org