LGBTQ+ people in the United States are increasingly embracing marriage and family life, according to new research from the Pew Research Center.
The poll, published earlier this month, shows that 59 per cent of LGBTQ+ adults now say they want to get married in their lifetime — more than double the 28 per cent who said the same in 2013, before same-sex marriage was legal nationwide.
The findings highlight a cultural shift in the decade since the landmark Obergefell v Hodges decision, which in 2015 recognised marriage equality as a constitutional right in the US.
Legal backdrop
The fresh data comes as the Supreme Court faces calls to reconsider Obergefell. Former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who famously refused to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples, has petitioned the court, claiming the ruling clashes with her religious beliefs and the Constitution.
Obergefell v Hodges began when Ohio refused to recognise the marriage of Jim Obergefell and his late partner John Arthur, leading to a case that reshaped marriage rights across America. Obergefell has since warned that LGBTQ+ rights could be “erased” if the decision were overturned.
Younger LGBTQ+ adults leading the change
The Pew survey found that the desire to marry is strongest among younger generations:
- 67% of LGBTQ+ people aged 18–29 said they want to marry one day.
- 48% of those aged 30–49 felt the same.
Only 12 per cent of respondents said marriage is not for them, while 28 per cent were unsure.
A decade ago, just over half (52 per cent) of LGBTQ+ adults expressed an interest in marriage, but support has since climbed steadily.
Families and children
The poll also shows growing interest in parenthood. Around 33 per cent of LGBTQ+ adults now say they want children, while 39 per cent say they do not, and 28 per cent remain undecided.
Figures from the Williams Institute back this up, estimating that at least 823,000 same-sex married couples currently live in the US, raising nearly 299,000 children. Since 2015, the number of married same-sex couples has more than doubled, with about 60 per cent of all cohabiting couples now legally wed.
Beyond social change, marriage equality has had a significant economic impact. Same-sex weddings have contributed close to $5.9 billion to the US economy, including $432.2 million in state and local sales tax revenue.
